Police crack down on metal theft

A police operation to clamp down on metal thefts has been carried out in Barnsley.

Operation Tornado was established to better regulate the scrap metal industry and restrict the movement of stolen metal by identifying dealers operating outside the law.

A new cashless legislation also began in December to prohibit cash payments for scrap metal.

Almost 60 officers were out around the county visiting scrap yards and stopping vehicles believed to be involved in the collection and distribution of scrap metal.

In Barnsley, 21 vehicles were stopped and of those just one was seized.

Chf Insp Andy Kent said: "Working with scrap metal dealers and tackling metal theft is very much daily business for us now, however it's good to dedicate resources to the issue on specific dates."

He said the public can help by reporting suspicious activity on 101 or calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.