Day of action to tackle cross border metal theft in Market Harborough

• published: 27 Jun 2013
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Day of action to tackle cross border metal theft in Market Harborough Dozens of vehicles were stopped in a cross border operation to tackle metal theft and cross border crime on Tuesday June 25, 2013. The event follows a National Day of Action to tackle Metal Theft in May, where Leicestershire and Northamptonshire Police focused their efforts in the area of Market Harborough in a bid to disrupt cross-border criminality and reduce metal theft from rural areas and commercial properties such as farms. The checkpoints on the A6 Harborough Road and the A508 Northampton Road were supported by Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras which work by scanning vehicle registrations and checking them against police databases to identify vehicles linked to criminality carrying individuals known to police. Safer Neighbourhood team officers from Market Harborough, Northants police and traffic officers spent the day between the two sites in Market Harborough with officers from: • Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA); • Trading Standards; • HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC); • Environment Agency; and • Harborough District Council (HDC). Anyone who appeared to be transporting scrap metal was stopped in order to ensure they had the correct documentation and also to locate any stolen scrap metal. Officers assessed the vehicles' condition and roadworthiness and checked for the correct documentation, paperwork and licences which are needed by scrap metal dealers, such as a waste carrier's licence and waste transfer notes. During the operation 60 vehicles were checked by Police, VOSA, Road Fuels, HMRC, HDC and the Environment Agency: • 1 x vehicle was recovered • 2 x driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence • 1 x No MOT • 4 x VOSA prohibition notices for bald tyres and tachometer offences • 5 x trailers checked PC 207 Rob Cross, who led the operation, said: "This operation sends out a clear message that people driving a vehicle which is unroadworthy and without the correct licences and paperwork will be prosecuted." Harborough and Lutterworth LPU Commander Paul McKinder concluded: "Leicestershire Police takes metal theft very seriously and we will continue to work with partner agencies to tackle the issue. We'd encourage the public to report any suspicious metal collecting activity to us, so that we may take action." Anyone with information about scrap metal theft is asked to call Leicestershire Police on 101* or Crimestoppers, which is free** and anonymous, on 0800 555 111. In an emergency, or if a crime is in action, dial 999. ENDS * The charge is 15p for the entire duration of the call from mobile phones or landlines. ** Some mobile phone service providers may make a charge for this call.