Six people have been arrested in a big clampdown on metal thieves in Coventry.
Police found aluminium beer barrels and toxic chemical containers in some of the 42 vehicles they stopped.
Two men arrested on suspicion of metal theft but later released without charge, whilst two others received a police caution for cannabis possession.
Inspector Jo Floyd, who led the operation, said: “The net is closing on metal thieves: we’re routinely checking scrap vans using Coventry’s roads and working with metal merchants to cut-off potential markets for thieves.”
“Often these are organised criminals, tempted by rising metal prices, and stripping lead from church and school roofs or wiring from electricity substations.”
“We’re responding to community concerns by targeting offenders and disrupting their activity.”
Copper is the most commonly stolen metal in Coventry, accounting for almost two-thirds of thefts since July 2010, followed by lead and iron.
Stoke, Ernsford Grange, Holbrooks, Longford, Wood End, and Tile Hill are the areas of the city that have seen the most number of incidents.
Traffic officer Ross Cleaver added: “We saw vans with leaking brake fluid and fuel, batteries rocking about under the bonnet with is a serious fire risk, and some driving around on tyres well past their best.”
“20 were so dangerous that we couldn’t let them leave the compound until repairs had been made.”
Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 4:46 pm