Metal thief is banned from every scrapyard

A metal thief is the first in the region to be banned from every scrapyard in the country after trying to sell stolen lead.

Adam Power, 25, received a criminal anti-social behaviour Order, preventing him from entering scrapyards in England and Wales for three years.

Power, from Halesowen Road, Old Hill, was jailed for eight months by Sandwell Magistrates.

He pleaded guilty to theft and handling stolen property. Police today said they would use their powers to hand out more crasbos to metal thieves who continue to wreak havoc in the region.

Power was caught weighing in £1,800 worth of stolen lead flashing at a scrap yard in Halesowen.

Pc Jason Dodd said since his arrest in early January, there has been a dramatic reduction in the number of reported lead flashing thefts in the Old Hill and Cradley Heath area.

He added: "The sentence passed by the court sends out a clear message that those involved in metal crime will be dealt with severely."

The crasbo prevents Power from handling scrap metal or entering a scrap yard. If he breaches the order, he can be arrested and put before the court again, possibly resulting in a jail term.

A 24-year-old woman from Rowley Regis, who was arrested along with Power in January 2012, was also charged with handling stolen property. She remains on bail to appear before Sandwell Magistrates Court next month.

Metal thieves continue to cause chaos across the West Midlands and Staffordshire in their bids to steal lead and copper.