Metal thieves in South Leeds can expect to be put behind bars as part of ‘Operation Dungeon’ – a new initiative involving the Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and partners.
West Yorkshire Police officers and police community support officers (PCSOs), Leeds City Council’s Environmental Action Team, and the Environment Agency, joined forces during the first of a number of Days of Action aimed at reducing the number of metal thefts within the local area.
Officers visited local waste traders to ensure they are checking and recording the credentials of anyone weighing in scrap metal, and also stopped a number of people to ensure they had licences to sell scrap and other materials.
One man was arrested and later charged with theft after being found trying to weigh in a number of supermarket shopping trolleys and storage racking belonging to a local firm.
He was bailed to appear before Leeds Magistrates’ Court later this month.
Fines totalling £1,200 were given out to people who either had no waste carrier’s licence, no MOT for their vehicles or no insurance. Three men were reported for having no insurance on their vehicles, two people were issued with warning letters for carrying waste without a licence, and one uninsured vehicle was seized.
‘Operation Dungeon’ will continue in the coming weeks as the NPT and partners keep up the pressure on metal thieves.
Sergeant Darren Chapman, who leads the Holbeck NPT, said: “Metal theft is becoming a very lucrative crime because of the rising value of scrap metal, which is why obscure items such as shopping trolleys are becoming targets for thieves.
“Anyone arrested can expect to face the full weight of the law, not just through the criminal courts but also through civil legislation which the council has at its disposal.
“One of the big plus points of the operation was the fact that local waste trading firms appear to be taking their responsibilities very seriously. It is quite clear that some of the items being offered to them have been stolen, and I would encourage firms to report suspicious traders to us as soon as possible.”
“In the meantime we will continue working hard to keep up the pressure on those involved.”
