POLICE in Consett are carrying out a crackdown on illegal scrap metal collectors.

Local officers and their traffic unit colleagues today (Wednesday, February 11) launched Operation Whitehall with council wardens, benefit fraud investigators and officials from Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.

They have been stopping vehicles in the area and checking them to see if they have the necessary paperwork and are not illegally using red diesel.

The operations follows a rise in complaints about scrap collectors trawling local back streets and taking things without permission, including belongings that people do not want to get rid of.

Inspector Keith Wardle, of Consett police, said legitimate collectors provide a genuine service and had the required licence and the right vehicle insurance.

“It is something we tried last year and it was quite successful so we have resurrected it because of increased reports from the public that they are seeing more scrap dealers in the area.

“In the past they have been responsible for metal thefts.

“We have had people’s bikes, barbecues and trampolines taken in the past.”

Police say they will take positive action including seizing and impounding vehicles that are found to lack the necessary licences to collect or transport scrap metal.

The operation will continue as a multi-agency initiative tomorrow (Thursday, February 12) and then for a few weeks more with just police involvement.