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Lead thieves to be targeted
ISLE MP Andrew Percy has added his support to the ongoing campaign to combat metal thefts.
Several Isle churches have been targeted by lead thieves in recent years, including St Andrew’s in Epworth, St Martin’s in Owston Ferry and All Saints’ Church in Misterton.
Mr Percy has met with Lord Henley, the Minister for Crime Prevention, who has agreed to look into regulating the scrap metal industry, including the introduction of a cash-free system.
It is hoped this would create a paper trail and make it easier to track down thieves who try to sell on stolen metal.
Elements of the regulation could be put into the Legal Aid Bill which could go through Parliament next month.
Mr Percy has also met with police officers and Ian Hetherington, Director General of the British Metals Recycling Association, as well as organising a metal theft summit.
“The Minister is looking into a cashless system as well as further regulations such as the requirement of photo ID,” Mr Percy added.
“At the moment thieves can be paid in cash and leave a fake name, making it difficult for the police to follow up.
“From my discussions with the police, it’s difficult to catch metal thieves in the act because of where the metal tends to be located.
“That’s why it’s so important we bring in regulations to get rid of the incentive and stop scrap metal being sold on.”
The Bells/Advertiser revealed last week that Humberside Police, North Lincolnshire Council and religious leaders from across the Isle had joined forces in a bid to deter thieves.
The North Lincolnshire Safer Neighbourhood Partnerships is paying for churches across the borough to get their roofs ‘SmartWatered’ to target stolen metal which is often sold onto scrap merchants.
It is hoped the SmartWater - which leaves traces which show up under detecting equipment - will cut off the cash supply for thieves who repeatedly target churches and other buildings.
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Weather for Epworth
Monday 21 May 2012
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Cloudy
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: North
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Temperature: 10 C to 22 C
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TavistockSuperfastBroadband
Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 05:11 PMDon't you get the idea that if someone turned up with half a tonne of lead and say a brass war memorial plaque, that a Scrap Metal Dealer would not have some sort of suspicion. Particularly as metal thefts are now so common and reported upon...
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