Scrap metal dealers across England and Wales have been visited by police following the introduction of the ban on cash trades.
Police forces across the country joined the Environment Agency, British Transport Police, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, Department of Work and Pensions, and HM Revenues and Customs Fuel Testing Unit to make visits to scrap yards and check that those handling metals were complying with legislation.
The ban on trading in cash for scrap metal was introduced on 3 December.
Apart from scrap dealers, motorists were stopped across England and Wales to check they were not carrying stolen metal.
Gwent Police Sergeant Scott Askew said: “You think of a city, it’s there – London, Bristol, Manchester.
“It’s been happening all week nationwide to tackle the blight that ‘s metal theft.”
