Release Date: 01/01/1980

Richmond calls for action on metal theft

Richmond Council has signed up to UK-wide calls for a change in the law to make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen scrap metal to dealers. This follows the theft of a bronze plaque from the Radnor Gardens War Memorial in October.

The Council has joined more than 45,000 people in signing a petition on the Government’s website to amend the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964. This governs the buying and selling of second hand metals. Currently dealers can pay cash for any metal which they want to buy. Campaigners and the Council are calling for the law to be amended so scrap could only be paid for by cheque or directly into the seller’s bank account.

The change would make it more difficult for thieves, because dealers would keep more detailed records of who they had bought from, aiding police investigations if a dealer had unknowingly bought stolen metal. It would force thieves to use a bank account which would leave a trail, and could be frozen by police if needed or be used as evidence in a prosecution.

Cllr Virginia Morris, Richmond Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, who signed the petition on behalf of the Council, said: “Radnor Gardens’ war memorial was targeted in a shameful act of vandalism by someone who clearly lives outside of decent society. Trains have been halted because wiring has been stolen and the roof of York House, and All Hallows Church, have been targeted for their lead.

“Our borough is not the only place to suffer though, and there is clearly a need for more to be done to stop unscrupulous thieves selling stolen metal. This petition rightly raises the issue of one way in which this could be done and I have signed to show our support.

“Whitehall must ensure any new regulations which might come from this petition do not threaten legitimate dealers or rag and bone men going about their business. But it is paramount we freeze out dodgy buyers, cutting off the thieves’ lifeline. If they cannot sell the metal, they will soon lose interest in stealing it. This council supports good businesses, but they must act responsibly and thoughtfully, and be aware of the controversy surrounding scrap metal sales.”

The Council has signed the epetition on the Government’s website, calling for the Home Office to change the law. The petition, entitled Cashless Scrap Metal Trade - Amendment to Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964, states: “Historically the scrap metal trade has been a cash-in-hand industry. This creates difficulties as there is no audit trail, making identification of individuals who may be trading stolen metal or who may be committing tax or benefits fraud, a difficult proposition.

“An amendment to the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would make payment by cheque or directly into a bank account mandatory and would be a significant component in reducing metal theft.”

The Council would encourage anyone else who agrees that action should be taken to crack down on scrap metal thefts to sign the petition. The petition is at:

http://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406


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