A FRESH wave of metal theft from power cables has led to a new clampdown after thieves caused 5,000 Stockton residents to suffer power cuts in their homes.

Officers from Stockton Borough Council worked with police, HM Revenue and Customs and other agencies to stop check vans and waste carrier vehicles in an attempt to prevent more thefts.

The official response, called Operation Spark, came after thieves attacked Northern Powergrid’s electricity network 20 times, causing power cuts for 5,000 Stockton borough residents.

The criminals have taken about 5,000 metres of live high voltage copper cabling from the local power network costing Northern Powergrid £600,000 to replace and repair.

As part of Operation Spark, nine vehicles were stopped and three were issued fixed rate penalty notices for failing to supply the relevant transport paperwork.

Two penalty notices were issued for defects affecting vehicle safety, while one driver was found without motor insurance and an expired provisional licence.

Police also issued a £300 fixed penalty notice to one vehicle which was 70 per cent overweight of a six tonne limit.

The two-day long operation was organised by Stockton council in partnership with Cleveland Police, HMRC’s fuel unit and Northern Powergrid.

Under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, all scrap metal dealers are legally required to register with the local authority’s licensing service and display a valid waste carrier's license at all times. Dealers are also required to record the value of the metal purchased, proof of the seller’s identity and address and keep records for three years.

Councillor Steve Nelson, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for housing and community safety, said: “We are sending out a clear message to deter these culprits and encourage legitimate businesses to make sure they register with the council and obtain a valid license to buy or sell scrap metal in the borough.”

Sergeant Gary Hatton, from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said: “We are continuing to work with our partners to target those responsible for the theft of cables and scrap metal in the Stockton area.

"Over the past few months we have been doing a lot of proactive work, particularly in the Stockton area, to bring these incidents to a halt and to try to reduce the risk to members of the public and ensure that people remain safe.”

To report an unlicensed scrap metal dealer, contact Stockton Council’s Trading Standards and Licensing service on 01642 526558.

Anyone with information about metal thefts can call Cleveland Police’s non-emergency number 101, Northern Powergrid’s emergency 24-hour number 0800 668877 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.