CIEH calls for tougher licensing of scrap metal trade

18 January 2012

Soaring levels of metal thefts are causing serious environmental health problems, warns the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH), which is calling for tough new legislation to tighten the licensing regime for the scrap metal trade.

In November the CIEH expressed strong support for Metal Theft Prevention Bill which was introduced in the House of Commons by Graham Jones MP (This Bill is expected to have its second reading debate on 20 January 2012).

The Scrap Metals Act of 1964 which is now used to regulate the trade , the CIEH says, is out of date, unfit for purpose and no longer acts as a deterrent.

Commenting David Kidney, CIEH Head of Policy, said:

“While many media stories about metal theft tend to focus on disruption to road and rail networks and the theft of war memorials, there are serious environmental and public health issues associated with this crime.

“For example recklessly burning off the insulation of metal coatings, careless disposal of metal and other waste can be extremely polluting and dangerous to health. Removing drain covers from roads and pavements creates a risk of serious injury and fatality for road users and pedestrians.

“Stealing metal from railway lines can put the lives of railway workers at risk.

“Damage to utilities' infrastructure can disrupt the supply of electricity, gas and water to some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

The CIEH is calling for changes to the law which would include:

• Tightening the licensing system so that scrap metal traders produce proof of identity, pay fees to cover the local authorities' costs of running a more effective system and re-registering traders annually, with fixed penalty notices for breaches of these requirements
• Introducing clear enforcement guidance
• Modernising the trading system so that scrap metal sellers have to produce approved forms of proof of identity, with traders keeping records of their identity
• Prohibiting cash transactions for all scrap metal dealings
• Changing the criminal law, with higher maximum sentences for offences relating to metal theft
• Creating new offences directly related to the scrap metal dealing and recognition within generic offences like 'theft' of the aggravating factor of endangering public safety or mass public disruption
• Providing clear guidance to law enforcers and sentencing courts to ensure maximum effectiveness of enforcement and deterrence

Continuing, David Kidney, said:

“In the short term if local authorities are looking to take action, they could follow the proven good practice example of Forest of Dean District Council, which in 2010 launched Operation Ferrous.

“This is innovative initiative introduced a code of conduct for all scrap metal yards. The agreed code involved implementing a no ID - no Cash policy and the installation of CCTV cameras at yards across the council.

“Crime statistics show that following implementation of the project in December 2010, metal theft within the Forest of Dean local policing area has now stabilised. This is in stark contrast to the regional crime statistics, which show that metal thefts are continuing to rise sharply.”

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