West Yorkshire Police has joined forces with the Environment Agency to tackle metal thefts in the county. Nationally the theft of metal costs an estimated £770 million each year and the value of the metal continues to rise.
Police and the Environment Agency have agreed to work together, which will enhance the powers already available to each organisation. The Environment Agency can enter any land, without a warrant to check if the premise requires an environmental permit and if it is complying with this or causing, or has the potential to cause air, land or water pollution.
To inspect of a residential premises, they can give seven days notice with the occupiers consent, or obtain a warrant from magistrates. Once inside they have extensive powers to search, inspect, take measurements, samples, seize copies of records, documents, computer records and render safe or dismantle equipment likely to cause pollution. Failure to comply with any of the above powers constitutes obstruction, which carries a £5,000 maximum fine. These powers will be used when looking at the storage of scrap metal and also its re-sale.
Metals being targeted are copper, lead, iron, steel, aluminium and platinum. Thieves usually target hospitals, schools, homes, scrap yards, storage yards, depots, stately homes, cemeteries and war memorials, faith buildings, railway lines, electricity sub stations, pylons and communications masts to name a few. Neighbourhood Policing Teams along with Environment Agency officers will be visiting local scrap dealers to ensure they are adhering to legislation set out around dealing and to also work with them to identify potential thieves.
Superintendent Ged McManus from West Yorkshire Police’s Local Policing Department said: "Working with the Environment Agency is enabling us to boost the powers we have to tackle the growing problem of metal thefts. Metals are disposed of through scrap metal dealers, of which many are legitimate; however there are a number of unlicensed dealers. They often work out of lock ups and garages and this is where we can work with the Environment Agency to put them out of business.
"We know that the theft of metal has a big impact on local communities, it affects everyone from local businesses to delays on public transport and power cuts. It also has a large financial impact with the damage caused to buildings or pylons for example which need repairing. Our officers have been working with our partners including local scrap dealers to raise awareness of this issue and to also combat the problem.
"Metal theft not only affects buildings and transport links, it also has the potential to carry fatal consequences. The people who are stealing the metal could be electrocuted; they could fall from a height or even be struck by a train, not to mention how the damage caused could leave members of the public open to injury. This is why it is important that all enforcement agencies work together to tackle the problem."
Environmental Crime Team Leader for the Environment Agency in Yorkshire, Ian Cowie said: "Working with, and sharing intelligence with the police enhances our knowledge and capabilities in tackling environmental crime. As well as providing intelligence to the police on their priorities such as metal theft, police assistance and their intelligence on illegal waste operators, waste carriers or illegal end of life vehicle operators will assist the Environment Agency in targeting waste operators who seek to undermine the legitimate waste disposal market and pollute the local environment.”
West Yorkshire Police are already working with British Transport Police, the Health and Safety Executive, Trading Standards and Local Authority Environmental licensing teams.
Recently the Force has launched Faithwatch, which is getting communities and faith groups to work together to tackle thefts from religious buildings and to prevent damage being caused to them. Anyone who has any information about unlicensed scrap dealers or about metal thefts is asked to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
