Police and council in crackdown on Coventry scrap dealers

[dutchman]

Scrap dealers in Coventry are being told to keep quiet as part of a crackdown on rogue traders.



Rag and bone men stopped by police in the city yesterday were warned it is illegal to use a loudspeaker on their rounds in the city.

The reminder came as part of a police and council blitz on scrap dealers trading illegally in Coventry.

Neil Chaplin, senior environmental pollution officer for Coventry City Council, explained there had been an increase in complaints from the public about noisy tradesmen.

He said: “Scrap dealers are not allowed to use loudspeakers for advertising on the street.

“We have been giving them a warning but if they continue to use them, they will be prosecuted and could be fined up to £5,000.

“There are exemptions to this law, including ice cream vans and electioneering vehicles.”

Between 8am and 1pm yesterday, police pulled over scores of trade vehicles travelling along Stoney Stanton Road and escorted them to a car park in nearby Cromwell Street, so the vehicles could be examined and the driver’s credentials could be checked.

Pc Kelvin Street, of West Midlands Police, said: “We are using ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) with the specific aim towards the illegal use of scrap wagons. It is predominately a council-led operation involving trading standards, environmental health and the police.

“Police motorcycles are identifying the vehicles and bringing them to the site. We are looking for vehicles that are trading as scrap dealers but haven’t got an environmental licence to dispose of the scrap and vehicles that have dangerous faults.”

He added: “Across the West Midlands force area there are vehicles plying their trade legitimately.

“They are providing a valuable service to the community.

“It is difficult for some people to get their scrap to a waste disposal site. But there are some who try and save money by cutting corners. They may not have an environmental waste disposal licence, the correct licence and insurance.”

Those stopped during the operation will receive a letter reminding them to comply with the law.

Tina Lewis, of Coventry City Council’s Trading Standards department, said: “There has been an increase in the number of scrap metal thefts.

“These vehicles could also be used by rogue traders on other jobs, such as tree and hedge cutting, so it’s important the vehicles are checked.

“We have had legitimate traders who appreciate what we are doing. They do not want illegal traders taking away their trade and bringing the industry into disrepute.”