http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-fe ... al-thieves 59 scrap metal dealers join fight against metal thievesDate published: 10 May 2012
Fifty-nine scrap metal dealers across the county joined forces with Greater Manchester Police yesterday (9 May 2012) to combat metal theft by signing up to a new scheme that requires anyone selling scrap metals to provide photo ID.
The initiative has been introduced by Greater Manchester Police’s Operation Alloy team that was set up nine months ago to stem an increase in metal theft.
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Officers are keen to reinforce these robust policing tactics with partnership work with scrap metal dealers to close down opportunities for thieves to profit from crime. They have urged dealers to adopt the new scheme that will require anyone offering scrap metal for sale to provide photo identification that could include a photo card driving licence, passport or national ID card supported by a recent utility bill that includes their address.
Officers say that this will make it harder for metal thieves to off load stolen goods and help them track suspect materials. It will also help safeguard scrap dealers from becoming involved in illegal activity.
The scheme was also adopted yesterday by the other four police force areas in the north west and follows on from the success of similar schemes introduced by British Transport Police in other parts of the country.
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