Vehicles seized by police in scrap metal site raids
Officers today seized two goods vehicles as part of a swoop on scrap metal traders.
Twenty-one police officers carryied out spot checks in Clarkes Lane, Willenhall, under Operation Steel. The operation continued this afternoon.
Ten vehicles including goods vans and small flat bed trucks were stopped for the checks.
The aim is to ensure that metal collectors have a licence from their council, waste carriage license from the Environment Agency and the correct motor insurance.As the checks got underway, drivers of three goods vans were escorted to a lay-by for checks to be carried out.
Walsall Police was also involved in the operation to check that the regulations brought into force on October 1 are being complied with.
West Midlands Police regional co-ordinator of the metal theft task force, Insp Jamie Checkland, said: "These laws should see the rogue collectors eradicated from our streets. No one can simply hand over their items for scrap without also giving the collector their details.
"The laws mean we should be able to trace the origin of everything that is taken as scrap meaning that thefts and illicit dealing should be a thing of the past."
Prior to the changes, 72 businesses were registered under the pre-existing legislation in Walsall and the majority were due to convert to a licence.
