A SIX-MONTH trial operation to combat the rising problem of scrap metal thefts will go live in the new year.

Operation Tornado, which will be piloted across three police force areas in the North-East, will demand that anyone selling scrap metal to dealers will have to provide proof of identity.

Police hoped that 240 scrap metal dealers in Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland will sign up to the trial operation on Tuesday.

British Transport Police (BTP) will lead the project across the North-East’s three force areas. As well as the individual forces, the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), the Home Office and British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) will be involved.

A BTP spokesman said anyone wishing to sell scrap to dealers in Durham, Cleveland or Northumbria would have to provide one of a number of forms of identity. They include a photocard driving licence including an address, a passport or national ID card supported with a utility bill less than three months old.

The scheme will enable police to contact those who are believed to have sold stolen metal.

Chief Superintendent Dave Orford, regional lead on metal theft, said: “The police are working closely with the metal recycling industry and supporting those scrapyards that are trying to reduce opportunities for stolen metal to be passed through them.

“All yards are being encouraged to get involved and play their part in stopping the impact metal theft has on communities.

“Yards that don’t want to take part may have legitimate reasons.”

Ian Hetherington, director general at the British Metals Recycling Association, said: “Metals theft is a real problem for the metals industry and BMRA continues to advise government on the issue.

“BMRA and our members are actively supporting Operation Tornado. The measures being trialled are sensible and provide the basis for a reform of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act – which we all want.

Lord Henley, the Home Office Minister for crime prevention and anti-social behaviour reduction, said: “Metal theft is a serious and growing national and international problem and the Government is working across departments, with law enforcement agencies and private industry on co-ordinated action to tackle it.”

During the past year, ten people have died as a result of metal theft. Last year, there were 995 incidents across the nation’s rail network, causing £16.5m worth of damage and 6,088 hours of delays. Thieves also target churches, homes and even electric substations.