East Lancashire MP's fight to cut metal theft continues

AN MP is welcoming the progress of a campaign to combat the costly crime of metal theft.

Hyndburn and Haslingden MP Graham Jones saw his Private Members Bill to tackle scrap dealers defeated, but says another member of the Commons is pursuing the cause.

Mr Jones said he hopes a Bill put forward by Richard Ottaway MP will see changes brought about.

He said: “This Bill will achieve most of the key elements I put forward in November 2011.

“Firstly, we need to amend the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.

“Instead of the current registration scheme, the UK needs a robust licensing regime, with scrap metal dealers paying a licence fee to fund the regulation of the licence.

“Second, property obtained through theft should be regarded as criminal assets. This would allow the provisions in the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 to apply.

“Third, in line with alcohol licensing powers, police authorities should have the power to search, and investigate, all premises owned and operated by a scrap metal dealer, and to close scrap metal dealers where criminally-obtained materials are discovered.”

Comments(9)

darwenTower says...
7:16pm Wed 19 Sep 12

How on earth did this bill get defeated?

j bee says...
9:13pm Wed 19 Sep 12

send them a tax form to fill in

peely says...
10:31pm Wed 19 Sep 12

Stop dealers paying out in cash !

RUinsane says...
10:34pm Wed 19 Sep 12

Scrap dealers have been bent for years, where do you think 90% of the cut and shut cars come from. So as they have a history of breaking the law and also a history of being enviromental polluters and peddlars of deathmobiles, what makes you think a piece of paper is going to get them to change their ways? Also who is going to police them?

accy lad and proud says...
11:15pm Wed 19 Sep 12

Jones The Dream strikes again ! The best thing you can do is weigh yourself in at the very same scrap yards you are targetting !

Jack Herer says...
7:06am Thu 20 Sep 12

accy lad and proud wrote:
Jones The Dream strikes again ! The best thing you can do is weigh yourself in at the very same scrap yards you are targetting !
You mean Jones the Trier.

We need a few more of him thanks.

makaveli96 says...
7:10am Thu 20 Sep 12

What type of people would steal metal that isn't theres?

Wishingwell says...
7:55am Thu 20 Sep 12

Same old same old increase in costs of doing business. This will mean less paid out for scrap and therefore less incentive to recycle. If you just stop cash payments thieves wouldn't be interested.

darwenTower says...
9:45am Thu 20 Sep 12

Was it defeated in the Commons or the House of Lords?

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree