Police Scotland officers from across the Eastern region are again teaming up with their British Transport Police colleagues to tackle metal theft, road safety and road crime under Operation Scandium.
The initiative was set up to ensure scrap metal dealers and those who trade in scrap metal are aware of their responsibilities under the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015. Days of action were held in the four East policing divisions at the end of 2015, with over 800 people spoken to about the changes to the scrap metal trading laws, the roadworthiness of their vehicles, and other business-related matters.
Police will again be joining up with local partner agencies to educate traders about the new legislation, with the licensing laws for metal dealers coming into force on 1st September this year.
Chief Inspector Stuart Wilson, of British Transport Police, said: “Despite a decrease in reported offences, metal theft still incurs considerable cost to the Scottish Economy and continues to disrupt and inconvenience the communities we serve.”
“With the commencement date of 1st September approaching, BTP continues to work closely with partner agencies to inform and educate those who trade in scrap metal about their responsibilities under new legislation contained within the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.”
Chief Inspector Stevie Innes, Police Scotland’s Local Area Commander for Road Policing said: “During the days of action in 2015 a number of vehicles were seized for no insurance, or prevented from continuing their journeys due to serious mechanical faults. By getting all the experts in one place, we’re able to not only give advice to traders, but also make our roads safer for everyone.
“We will again be working with key partners to make sure that right across Edinburgh, the Lothians and Scottish Borders, Fife and Forth Valley, there is nowhere for metal thieves to hide when the new law comes into effect in three months’ time.”
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
