The spread of Operation Tornado has continued with it now launched in the South East region.
Police in Thames Valley, Hampshire, Kent, Surrey and Sussex have now implemented the scheme that aims to reduce metal theft.
Under the scheme, individuals will be required to provide proof of their identity including their current address when trying to sell scrap metal to dealers.
Neighbourhood policing teams have been engaging with scrap metal dealers in the region, to encourage them to sign up, and those that do not wish to comply with the operation will be subject to a risk assessment conducted by police.
Thames Valley Police lead for the operation Detective Inspector Ian Wood said: “Operation Tornado is one of a number of measures currently being explored to restrict the sale and movement of stolen metal. It has been designed not to inhibit those dealers that operate legitimate businesses, but to remove unscrupulous dealers who operate outside the law.
“We are hoping all registered scrap metal dealers in the region will sign up to be involved to help fight stolen metal trade and make it more difficult for thieves to make money by targeting our communities for metal.”
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