Metal
theft Initiative a Success
An
initiative to combat metal theft in the Mendip West policing area has
been so successful that other Police Forces are looking to adopt the scheme.
As
the result of an increase in metal thefts in the area at the beginning
of 2008 – the reflection of a national trend - local officers carried
out a series of test selling operations at local scrap metal yards.
Scrap metal dealers in the area were also asked to sign up to a 'service
level agreement' between them, Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Mendip
District Council. The agreement saw local dealers install CCTV, register
any scrap metal that they bought and even take thumbprints of any sellers
that fail to produce photo identification.
Neighbourhood policing teams have also visited vulnerable locations in
the area - such as churches, schools, commercial premises and some older
residential properties – offering crime prevention advice specific
to this type of crime.
Since the scheme started earlier this year, there has been a significant
decrease in metal thefts in the area. In April 2008 there were over 100
metal thefts in the Mendip West policing area which dropped to approximately
60 in May and fell even further to less than 30 in June.
Sergeant Mark Edgington who led the initiative said: 'Metal thefts were
on the rise in the Mendip West area and it was clear that something had
to be done to prevent this type of crime from continuing. Working closely
with the local council and the scrap metal dealers we have managed to
achieve this very successfully.
'I am pleased that the initiative is to be rolled out across the rest
of the East Somerset District and we have meetings planned with Wiltshire
and Devon and Cornwall Constabularies to help with similar problems there.'
Scrap metal company JC Thomas and Sons in Glastonbury is just one of the
local dealers that has embraced the new scheme and has reported several
suspicious incidents to the police.
For example, between Friday May 23rd and Monday June 2nd Brookside School
in Street was the victim of a lead theft. Having conducted checks with
JC Thomas and Sons it was revealed that they had bought the lead, but
not before taking a copy of the suspect's photo ID and vehicle registration
number. This has resulted in three arrests.
Joe Thomas, Director at JC Thomas and Sons Ltd said: 'It has been a great
pleasure to assist and join the police in the new scheme in reducing scrap
thefts in our area.
'We have found that it's been a great success in the area and the scrap
thefts have certainly gone down. We hope that this continues and in our
opinion we would recommend the scheme to other Merchants.'
Cllr John Osman, Mendip District Council's portfolio holder for community
safety, added:
'This is an excellent example of successful partnership working, and Mendip
District Council is proud to be part of an initiative which may now be
adopted by other police forces.
'The council recognises the important role it has in working with the
police to improve community safety, and continuing to ensure that our
district remains a low crime area.'
Caption: Joe Thomas and Sergeant Mark Edgington
