Rt. Hon. John F. Spellar MP

Local MP Calls for Urgent Action to Tackle Metal Theft in Warley

John Spellar MP is calling on the Government to take urgent action to tackle metal theft in Warley which is damaging the economy and can be extremely dangerous.

John Spellar MP is backing Labour’s four point plan to tackle Metal theft – which is also supported by British Transport Police, Association of Chief Police Officers & by the Neighbourhood Watch.

1)      Licensing scrap metal dealers, rather than current registration with Local Authority.

2)      Look into possibility and effectiveness of banning cash transactions especially for large scale/high value scrap metal transactions.

3)      Tougher police powers to close rogue traders down.

4)      Anyone selling scrap to provide proof of identity, recorded at point of sale.

Commenting on the issue John Spellar, MP for Warley said:

"Metal theft is becoming an epidemic, and urgent action is needed from the Home Office to stop this getting out of control. The government should change the law to make it easier stop this organised crime and dangerous trade.

"Households face repeated power cuts, commuters face increasing delays, churches and public buildings are being damaged, all as a result of escalating metal theft. The theft of electric wires is even putting lives at risk.

“Between April 2010 and March 2011 cable theft on the railways increased by over 70 per cent.

"Faced with crime on this scale, the Government is being far too slow to act. It is still too easy to trade stolen metal. We need a much tougher licensing regime for dealers, including requiring people selling to scrap metal dealers to prove their identity, and stronger powers for the police to investigate. We need to support legitimate trade but make it easier to stop organised crime.

“When cases are becoming increasingly serious, the Home Office shouldn't turn a blind eye or just leave it to the police. We need action.”