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TWO FORCES, ONE OPERATION KRYPTONITE
25 March 2011
DUDLEY POLICE have conducted a cross-border metal theft operation with officers from West Mercia Police to tackle offenders operating across the area.
Over 100 vehicles were stopped by officers during the joint operation, which took place in Hagley, on the A491 southbound heading towards Belbroughton; and Lye, on Pedmore Road, between 7am and 12:30pm yesterday (Thursday 24 March).
Operation Kryptonite is a long standing operation which supports officers who are tackling the rise in scrap metal thefts. Dudley borough is particularly affected by this type of theft due to the large amount of scrap metal companies located in the area.
An ANPR (automated number plate recognition) van was set up in both locations to assist officers in flagging up vehicles that were stolen, didn't have any insurance or are already known to police.
Sergeant Jason Wathes, heading the operation said; "This cross border operation focuses on reducing metal theft offences, prosecuting any identified offenders, helping us to identify and negate the criminal networks involved in the processing of stolen metal and to gather intelligence to assist with further arrests and operations."
This operation was conducted with the help of neighbourhood officers from both West Midlands Police and West Mercia Police, West Midlands Police Force Traffic Unit and West Mercia Intercept Team. External agencies were also present, including HM Revenue and Customs vehicle testing unit, BT Open Reach, Smartwater and Dudley Council.
Sergeant Wathes added; "This operation was very successful and lead to 102 vehicles being stopped for offences such as no seat belt and using a mobile phone whilst driving; 17 scrap metal wagons were stopped, one arrest was made for driving whilst being disqualified and having no insurance.
"Seven vehicles in total were seized for offences like not having insurance, or driving licence and for having red diesel.
"The driver carrying a load full of red diesel was given an on the spot fine of £500 by HMRC and Dudley Council will be prosecuting a driver for not having a waste carrier's licence".
If you have any information in relation to the buying and selling of stolen scrap metal please could we urge you to contact Dudley Police on 0345 113 5000, or if you want to stay anonymous you can call Crimstoppers on 0800 555 111.
To stay up to date with what's happening across the Dudley borough, you can visit our website on www.dudleypolice.org.uk, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/dudleypolice or visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/dudleypolice
