POLICE are visiting scrap merchants across Warrington to see if they have been offered any stolen metal from local business and residential sites.
Metal theft is on the increase across Warrington according to statistics.
Chief Inspector Jon Ward said: “Metal theft in any form is a direct attack on our communities – and we will not tolerate those who chose to target the Warrington area in this way.
“It is a crime that costs local businesses, residents and organisations large amounts of money – not to mention the inconvenience of having to replace stolen materials.”
He said police were running a proactive campaign using technology to arrest those involved in the illicit trade of metals. Police are visiting scrap metal merchants as he said they are often the first port of call for thieves “looking to make a quick buck.”
Officers are examining records of what dealers buy and sell, and are following up on anything suspicious.
Mobile patrol units are also actively targeting vehicles traditionally used to transport building materials and conducting intelligence-led stop checks of vehicles and occupants.
Other agencies such as VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency), HM Customs and Excise and the Department For Work and Pensions are also involved.
Detective Chief Inspector Brian Roberts said the increase in price of scrap metal means that thieves are targeting “whatever they can get their hands on” and not thinking about the consequences for others.
He said: “Thieves often operate on the premise that this crime is almost victimless and no-one, other than large corporations, suffers as a result of their activity. This could not be further from the truth.
“Metal theft can disrupt rail networks, telephone lines, internet services, and almost always cause insurance premiums to rise.”
POLICE are visiting scrap merchants across Warrington to see if they
have been offered any stolen metal from local business and residential
sites.
Crackdown on metal thefts
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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These scumbags even pinched my mates barbeque from outside his house!! Just look for the Transit pickups (usually in white) and usually full of fridges, bikes and other stolen items.