Alchemy Metals reports that it’s the first metal merchant in the UK to start a new audit trail that is aimed at tackling metal theft. The audit system takes no more than 15 to 20 minutes from point of entering the site to when the client exits, the Stevenage based firm adds.
Alchemy Metals recently hosted a meeting demonstrating the new audit system and discussed metal theft with British Transport Police, BT, the Energy Networks Association (ENA), Network Rail and English Heritage.
Chris Hearn, Detective Sergeant, Lead Detective on metal theft at British Transport Police, who has been working on the issue of metal theft for several years, said: โHaving spent time looking at the processes in place at Alchemy it is clear to me that they have considerably enhanced the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify, deter and prosecute criminals and interdict in their activities. They have raised the bar within their industry and sent a clear message out to all that may be considering or are involved in metal theft.โ
Alchemy showed a new audit trail registration process which includes requesting full photo ID, passport or driving license, and current proof of address. A photo ID of the client is taken on site, besides photos of their vehicle, registration number and the materials they are selling. Documents are scanned and kept electronically. Alchemy will also be providing Hertfordshire Police with details of every gate transaction.
Luke Beeson, BT Security, General Manager, said: โMetal recyclers are vital to the work we are doing to eliminate the market of stolen metal. It is fantastic to see Alchemy Metals demonstrating the effectiveness of some simple cost effective techniques to help provide a clear audit trail of all transactions. We would like to see this approach being adopted across the metal recycling industry to make it impossible for criminals to turn their ill gotten gains in to cash. Theft of telecommunications cable is a significant issue causing widespread disruption for our business and residential customers. We are investing millions of pounds to combat it working in partnership with other affected industries and local and national law enforcement agencies.โ
Alchemy describe themselves as a โfactory accountโ specialist and having recently moved to a facility on the outskirts of Stevenage will be offering legitimate tradesmen the opportunity to sell their scrap metal by way of an appointment only system.
Philip Newman, Managing Director, Alchemy Metals, said: โAlchemy have always operated with complete transparency, the new audit gate system will ensure that the materials that pass through our works are legitimately and ethically sourced. We were delighted to host todayโs meeting and to discuss the benefits of robust legislative changes to the current Scrap Metal Dealers Act. We are in complete support of legislative changes and hope that our โblueprintโ will become the industry standard once changes take effect.โ
Tony Glover, ENA Head of Press and Public Affairs, said: โWe are very keen to work with companies like Alchemy, who have a proven record of seeking to outlaw the rogue element in the industry. Every day lives are put at risk by metal theft in the energy sector. Only by closing down the means of disposal of stolen metal can we have any real effect on this crime and this can only be achieved by a reform of legislation governing the metal recycling trade.โ
ENA, alongside Network Rail and BT recently hosted a first parliamentary summit on metal theft as part of a cross industry approach to tackle this crime. The summit was attended by the new Crime Prevention Minister Baroness Browning, 15 MPs and industry representatives from across all affected sectors. They called for a change in legislation to address the problem of metal theft in a comprehensive way.
Chief Inspector Mark Harrison, is the Policing and Crime Advisor to English Heritage and has been working on a strategy that will lead to more effective and coordinated enforcement of the law protecting Englandโs historic sites and buildings. The strategy is now a component within the organisationโs National Heritage Protection Plan (NHPP) and is supported by an Alliance to Reduce Crime against Heritage (ARCH) – enforcement bodies, local authorities, non-governmental organisations, professional groups and amenity societies. He said: โMy role at this meeting has been to provide an overview of the work that we have been developing across the country, and to highlight how a coordinated partnership can tackle and investigate crime and anti-social behaviour within the historic environment.โ
Alison Clarke, Programme Manager for Metal Theft at Network Rail was also in attendance. She said: โTheft of cable is a significant issue for the railway, costing around £43m in the past three years and causing widespread disruption to passengers and essential freight deliveries. Scrap metal recyclers can help us to tackle this damaging crime through working with police to protect themselves โ and us โ from the criminals. We are very pleased that Alchemy has shown such an interest in the issue and look forward to seeing results from their approach.โ
Both BT and Network Rail have problems with the theft of copper cable along with other metals. These problems are not only financial; they have implications on infrastructure with both companies suffering from loss of service as a result. Alchemy showed how easily cable can be processed through a cable granulator and made to disappear.
About Alchemy Metals
Alchemy Metals Ltd is a private family owned company, who specialise in traceable, ethically sourced, factory scrap metal. Based in Hertfordshire, they provide tailored waste management services on the UK.
The new audit trail system, which has already been trialed, has been specifically set up for their September โgate tradeโ launch. For more information, visit:
