Droitwich News
Local MPs taking lead with metal theft plans
10:30am Monday 6th February 2012
A RADICAL overhaul of the scrap metal industry will be debated in the Commons this week.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on Combating Metal Theft, which includes local MPs Robin, called for the debate after Home Secretary Theresa May announced that the Government will bring in a cashless system for the scrap metal industry.
The debate will be on Tuesday. The motion calls on the Government to introduce a package of measures to coincide with the cashless system.
It specifically calls for: • A robust licensing scheme for scrap metal dealers to replace the present registration scheme • A licence fee to fund the regulation of the licence • Greater police powers to close unscrupulous scrap metal dealers in line with alcohol licensing • Police authority to search and investigate all premises owned and operated by scrap metal dealers • Use of photo identification and CCTV to identify sellers of scrap metal, and their vehicles • Vehicle badging for mobile scrap metal dealers • Magistrates’ powers to add licence restrictions and prevent closed yards from reopening.