Locks and Security News: your weekly locks and security industry newsletter
24th April 2024 Issue no. 702

Your industry news - first

We strongly recommend viewing Locks and Security News full size in your web browser. Click our masthead above to visit our website version.

Targeted metal theft raids lead to arrests

At a scrap yard in Ramsgate, described as an organised 'metal theft factory', police officers found hundreds of pounds worth of lead and thick cabling being stripped for copper.

The find follows targeted raids during which seven people were arrested, five for conspiracy to handle stolen goods and two on suspicion of supplying class A drugs.

In addition, seven other scrap yards across Kent were visited. At premises in Ramsgate, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Tenterden search warrants were executed and road checks held close to the businesses. At yards in Aylesford, Erith and Canterbury staff were given advice by police about their responsibilities under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act. Road checks were also carried out.

Speaking from Ramsgate, Kent Police Deputy Chief Constable Alan Pughsley said: 'The theft of metal is bringing misery - literally, to thousands of people. Householders are being left without power and light and businesses not able to function when underground telephone cable is being torn out of the ground. The rail network has been disrupted and we have seen that thieves will even stoop as low as to rip the plaques off memorials dedicated to those who have died fighting in wars.

Link between metal theft trade and drugs network

'At Kent Police we are determined to do all within our power to target the venues helping these thieves to function. Today's warrants are the result of months of work by officers who have been investigating the network involved in the metal theft trade which we also believe is linked to the supply of controlled drugs.

'This work will not end with today's action but continue with the support of other partner agencies. It is pleasing to note that during our investigation we visited yards which are acting within the law and correctly reporting to police when they are suspicious about sellers and the origin of the metal.'

The investigation has been underway for the past six months and involved metal, including cabling, being offered to yards across the county. This was met by a varied reaction from flat refusal to acceptance of stolen cabling with few questions asked.

15th February 2012