MP BACKS GOVERNMENT‘S TOUGH PENALTIES FOR METAL THEFT

Aidan has welcomed a recent announcement by the Home Secretary, Theresa May MP who has said that cash payments for scrap metal will be banned and penalties increased, as the Government steps up its action against metal theft.

In a statement to Parliament the Home Secretary said the Government would:

• Create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments when purchasing scrap metal
• Introduce unlimited penalties on those who break the law.

In November last year, the Government announced that a dedicated metal theft taskforce would be established. These changes are part of a wider plan to tackle all stages in the illegal trading of stolen scrap metal and further measures to crack down on rogue dealers will soon be outlined.

This new crackdown by the Government comes following recent figures showing that levels of metal theft from churches in Cannock Chase and Lichfield are some of the highest in the country.

Commenting Aidan said: "People across Cannock Chase are disgusted by metal thieves and the criminals who deal in stolen metal. This is a despicable and cowardly crime that strikes at the very heart of our communities.

"It is vital that we do all can to protect business, the public and our national heritage from metal theft and so I'm pleased that the Government has taken tough action and is stopping cash payments and introducing tough penalties to clamp down on the illegal metal trade"

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