Derbyshire Police’s Business Crime Prevention Team is working alongside the Environment Agency to target people who steal and sell scrap metals.
Funding from the partnership project has paid for 11 kits consisting of SmartWater, a UV torch, a microscope and various signs to warn people that scrap metal will be checked to make sure it is legitimate.
The kits will be provided to scrap metal yards covering Amber Valley, Erewash and Derby city, allowing sites to inspect all metal for UV marking. The SmartWater mark will then allow police to trace the business that originally tagged the item.
The Safer Neighbourhood teams in the area will also be checking scrap metal for signs of SmartWater by using UV torches.
The idea for the project originally came from the Environment Agency’s BREW campaign, which focused on all waste disposal operators.
Mark Haslam, the Area Environment Manager for the Environment Agency said: "Through the BREW campaign we have been using novel approaches to tackle waste crime and to support legitimate businesses.
"By funding this joint initiative with Derbyshire Constabulary we intend to promote a concept that will benefit all the businesses currently being affected by metal theft and its illegal disposal."
Ian Brailsford, Business Crime Prevention Advisor for Derbyshire Constabulary, added: "We believe that this action will be a huge deterrent for those responsible for metal thefts in Derbyshire because we will be able to tell, very quickly and easily, whether an item has been stolen. The message to the criminals is clear: don’t steal in the first place because we will be able to track the item."
One of the scrap yards involved in the project is Sims in Somercotes, Alfreton. Myles Pilkington, Marketing and Communications Manager for Sims said: "We want to be involved in anything that can help to stop metal thefts. These crimes can lead to dangerous situations and have a huge impact on local communities."
Derbyshire Constabulary offer SmartWater packs to businesses in Derbyshire to help them protect their metal and valuable equipment. If you would like to find out more about SmartWater, please call 0845 123 33 33 and ask to speak to you local Business Crime Prevention Advisor.
