18 January 2011
Eastbourne Borough Council have been working with a local scrap metal dealer, Gearing and Son Limited, 28 – 39 Seabeach Lane, Eastbourne, to ensure that scrap metal is disposed of responsibly by the public, and that purchases of scrap metal come from a legitimate source.
The borough has seen an increase in scrap metal theft, and individuals being approach in their homes by unregistered individuals looking for scrap metal. Many people do not realise that they commit an offence if they do not dispose of scrap via a registered dealer, and that this could lead to prosecution.
Under the terms of their licence, registered scrap metal dealers have an obligation to record the details of people disposing of scrap metal. In order to improve information sharing between the Council, Sussex Police and scrap metal dealers, a best practice agreement is being adopted to further manage the sale and purchase of scrap metal.
Individuals disposing of scrap will now need to provide photographic identification. Partnership working will result in information being shared, where scrap metal may be offered for sale in suspicious circumstances. Dealers will continue to be visited regularly by the Police and the Council to ensure they are meeting their licence requirements and the best practice agreement.
An Eastbourne Borough Council Spokesperson said, “It’s important that the public are aware of the need to dispose of scrap metal via a registered dealer to comply with the law, and to work with us in reporting any suspicious individuals or vehicles who approach them directly to dispose of scrap metal. This is illegal and a practice we want to stop.”
