Scrap metal thieves targeted

Police in Bassetlaw made several arrests during an operation to target metal thieves and those flouting road rules last week.
Nottinghamshire Poloice set up a checkpoint at B&Q, Babbage Way, Worksop on Wednesday in a bid to target metal thieves and those flouting road rulesNottinghamshire Poloice set up a checkpoint at B&Q, Babbage Way, Worksop on Wednesday in a bid to target metal thieves and those flouting road rules
Nottinghamshire Poloice set up a checkpoint at B&Q, Babbage Way, Worksop on Wednesday in a bid to target metal thieves and those flouting road rules

Officers had checkpoints on Sandy Lane and at Harworth Park, off Blyth Road, where they stopped passing motorists. They also visited scrap metal dealers to ensure they were complying with the new cashless trading legislation and not handling stolen goods.

The day was part of a Notts-wide crackdown which was staged thanks to funding from the British Transport Police.

In Bassetlaw, three arrests were made, two scrap metal dealers were visited and several vehicles were removed from the road.

PC Stuart Barson, of the force’s metal theft reduction team, said: “While we were targeting vehicles likely to be carrying scrap metal, we also had our eyes open for any motorist who appeared to be flouting the law, whether through suspected vehicle defects, invalid paperwork or committing any of the Fatal Four – speeding, no seat belt, use of mobile phone or being under the influence behind the wheel.”

“We work with partners on these operations for a robust, holistic approach to identifying all kinds of criminals, from burglars and thieves, to benefit cheats and licence dodgers. We run days of targeted action on an ad-hoc basis to keep criminals on their toes, as well as send the message out to those who think they can come into our region and offend that no time or place is safe here to commit crime.”

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