11 held in South Yorkshire scrapyard blitz

ELEVEN people were arrested after a week of metal theft action by South Yorkshire Police.

Scrapyards in Rotherham, Doncaster, Sheffield and Barnsley were visited as part of Operation Tornado.

More than 100 vehicles were searched and businesses across the area were given tips about metal theft crime prevention.

Chf Supt Bill Hotchkiss: “This is the third high-profile metal theft operation South Yorkshire Police have executed this year.

“Scrapyards in the county and those moving and dealing with stolen metal have been targeted by police, several times recently so they know we are watching them and this is part of a long-term plan to deter unlawful actions and better regulate the industry.

“These operations involve local communities, businesses and partners as well as assistance from legitimate scrap metal dealers. The whole community can be affected by the consequences of metal theft, so it is important that we all pull together to tackle it.

“If you have any information on metal theft crimes or suspicious activity in your area please report it to police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

National initiative Operation Tornado was established to better regulate the scrap metal industry and restrict the movement of stolen metal by identifying dealers operating outside the law.

Anyone disposing of metals to participating scrap metal dealers must provide ID and a utility bill showing their current address.

READ MORE

Thieves targeting catalytic converters.