East Lancashire MP's fight to cut metal theft continues (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire MP's fight to cut metal theft continues

7:00pm Wednesday 19th September 2012 in News

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.”

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