Joint operation in Purbeck targets metal crime
Officers have teamed up with partners for a joint day of action targeting the theft of metal.
Rural Crime Team officers took part in the operation, with patrols across the Purbeck area seeing a total of 30 vehicles stopped. The day was part of a national week of action in relation to metal crime.
Officers were joined by the commercial traffic unit, a regional unit working with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency, as well as the Environment Agency.
Two vehicles were seized following reported licence and insurance offences, with both drivers reported.
Two further drivers were reported for offences of having an insecure load and for driving in a condition likely cause injury due to the vehicle’s load.
The day also provided the Environment Agency with an opportunity to gather intelligence in relation to waste offences, with follow up visits planned off the back of the information obtained.
Sergeant Natalie Skinner, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “We recognise the role commercial vehicles can play in the disposal of stolen metal, even if it is unintentionally.
“By stopping drivers and engaging with them we were able to offer education and advice, while the day also resulted in the identification of further driving offences.
“We were also able to work with our partners in the Environment Agency to allow them to gather vital intelligence in relation to this issue and inform their ongoing work to identify offences in relation to waste disposal.”
Dorset Police and Crime Commissioner David Sidwick said: “It was great to join the Rural Crime Team and our partners at the Environment Agency, for this important day of action.
“As well providing an opportunity for the officers to gather intelligence, it was an invaluable chance to educate and inform members of the public who might have been otherwise unaware of the law around metal theft.
“I know the impact these types of offences have on our communities – particularly for those in rural areas – so it’s important that Dorset Police work together to forge effective, crime fighting partnerships to tackle offences that really effect the people and businesses of Dorset, and I look forward to seeing more of these types of operations take place.”
Ben Shayler, Area Environment Manager at the Environment Agency, said: “Last week, officers from our Waste and Enforcement teams joined Dorset Police in Purbeck for an operation targeting illegal waste transport and metal crime.
“Through intelligence-led partnership working and roadside stops we are taking a targeted approach to prevent and disrupt the illegal movement of waste across the county by unlicensed carriers, brokers and dealers. Anyone handling, storing or transporting waste must be registered with the Environment Agency.”
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