Criminal background checks for scrap dealers

As of yesterday (Sunday), under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act (2013), all scrap dealers, salvage operators, dismantlers and mobile collectors must have undergone a criminal background check and have had a new scrap collector’s licence approved by their local authority.

Mobile collectors must have licences for every local authority they operate under.

Site managers, directors, company secretaries, partners and collectors have had since 1 October to ensure they are operating in line with the new legislation, which can now be enforced by the police.

Under the legislation officers have powers of entry to scrap sites and can search records and stock. They are also continuing to check compliance to laws brought in last year demanding cashless trading.

Detective Sergeant Rob Lloyd said: “We will be out with representatives from the local authority checking that everyone is operating in line with the new laws.

“Anyone not complying will be subject to prosecution, a fine and even a closure order.”

If you suspect someone of dealing in stolen metal contact police or scrap a scrapper to Crimestoppers anonymously.