Five held in Rotherham metal theft raids

FIVE people were arrested in Rotherham as part of a day-long blitz against metal thieves.

Four men and a woman were held in connection with metal thefts two months ago in North Wales.

South Yorkshire Police recovered £50,000 worth of suspected stolen goods across the county during the day of action, which saw 20 scrap yards visited and 235 vehicles stopped and searched — seven of those were seized.

House searches revealed 20 tonnes of metal, including £12,000 worth of tungsten, a suspected electric stun gun, CS gas and a suspected modified air rifle.

Also located was a £20,000 metal grading gun, which turned out to have been stolen in Derbyshire in September. All five people were bailed until the New Year.

Superintendent Tim Innes said: “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 scrap metal dealers are operating in cash, they are now breaking the law. Report them to police by calling 101.”

Suspicious activity can also be reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.