Call to speed up new laws on metal theft

Call to speed up new laws on metal theft

Local Liberal Democrats are calling on the government to speed up passing further laws to tackle the blight of metal theft.

The call comes after a metal theft from the St Mary's Parish Hall in Hinckley. This follows an attack earlier this year on the St Mary's church roof by metal thieves that cost £50,000 damage.

Earlier this year Cllrs Michael Mullaney (Lib Dem Hinckley Trinity) and Cllr David Bill (Lib Dem Hinckley Clarendon) wrote to the Home Secretary asking for more action to tackle metal theft.

The government is supporting some measures to toughen up the law on dealing in scrap metal; these include outlawing cash payments for purchasing scrap metal, fines for offences involving stolen scrap metal rising and police would having powers to enter scrap metal yards.

Michael Mullaney said "This further attack shows how important it it to take firm action to deal witht the menace of metal theft. I hope the government will set aside time to pass the Metal Theft Prevention Bil that would ensure even tighter rules to deal with people who deal in stolen scrap metal."