30 vehicles stopped in one day during Purbeck operation
Police have been targeting metal thefts, with two vehicles seized
Rural crime officers at Dorset Police has stopped 30 vehicles in the Purbeck area, during a day of action targeting metal thefts.
The team was joined by the DVSA and the Environment Agency to speak to drivers about concerns, and offer advice.
Two of the vehicles stopped were later seized for licence and insurance offences, with the drivers reported.
Two more drivers were also ticketed for having insecure loads, or the driving with the load in a condition that would be likely to cause injury.
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.”