Clampdown on cash payments for scrap metal

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CASH payments for scrap metal are to be banned as it was revealed the cost of manhole thefts to Worcestershire taxpayers has risen to above £100,000.

The Government is making an urgent amendment to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to make it a crime to pay cash for scrap metal and to impose unlimited fines for those found breaking the law.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "People who deal in stolen metal are criminals, pure and simple. Their activities are bringing misery to individuals and communities as well as damaging our economy."

Worcestershire County Council welcomed the move as since the start of 2011 about 650 manhole and gully covers have been stolen. Across the West Mercia Police region metal thefts have soared by 95 per cent between 2009/10 and 2010/11 at a cost of almost £1.8million.

Coun John Smith OBE, responsible for highways and transport on the council, said: "There have been many mindless and irresponsible thefts over the last few months, including some when covers have been taken off the road leaving gaping holes on the highways. It really isn't an exaggeration to say this could have resulted in innocent people being seriously injured or even losing their lives.

"Anything that may deter these criminals can only be a good thing."

Worcester MP Robin Walker, who is vice chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the prevention of metal thefts, also welcomed the move but said he would continue to press for a tougher licensing regime for scrap metal dealers.

He said: "It was right that decisive action should be taken to ban cash payments which have made it just too easy to launder stolen metal. Now we need to engage with the scrap metal industry, with the police and with the thousands of organisations that are affected by metal theft to make sure the new legislation really works and to put in place a stronger and fairer licensing regime."