Welcome for new rules on Scrap Metal dealing

Hinckley's Liberal Democrat County Councillors David Bill and Michael Mullaney have welcomed a new Licensing Scheme for Scrap metal Dealers that will be introduced on October 1st.

Following a string of Scrap Metal thefts, including from the Roof of St Mary's Church in Hinckley and the Church Hall David Bill and Michael Mullaney wrote to the Home Office to call for more action to be taken on the problem.

They welcome the news that Scrap Metal Dealers will have to be licensed by the Council to trade and that Council's will have some powers to reject and revise these licenses if needed. The police and councils will also be given powers to enter and inspect scrap metal yards if they believe it's necessary to.

Cllr Michael Mullaney (Lib Dem: Hinckley) said "We have seen the problems that metal theft can cause locally when thieves targeted St Mary's Church in Hinckley and caused tens of thousands of pounds of damage.

"The Home Office has estimated that nationally there were 80,000-100,000 reported metal theft offences in 2010/11 alone and is costing the economy up to an estimated £260 million per year.

"I welcome these steps that will help to tackle this problem."

Cllr David Bill (Lib Dem: Hinckley) said "Hinckley Police confirmed that there were 19 reported metal thefts across the borough in the last 12 months, so clearly this is a problem locally. Any steps taken to tackle this scourge are most welcome."