Operation Alloy
Raids at scrap metal premises across Wigan borough yesterday resulted in copper and lead worth tens of thousands of pounds being seized.
As part of Operation Alloy, four sites were visited by police, the Health and Safety Executive, trading standards officials from Wigan and Salford and asset recovery teams from United Utilities, Electricity North West, Virgin Media and BT Openreach.
Electricity North West recovered cabling and copper conductors worth over £3,000 and BT Openreach seized cable worth around £1,000.
Virgin Media found over 4,000 metres of lead and copper cabling, 160 metres of fibre-optic cabling that could supply around 10,000 properties with a broadband, phone and TV connection, and a similar length of cable used for business telephony systems. The company also seized four batteries used to supply power to temporary traffic lights and telephone junction boxes.
In addition, police arrested two people on suspicion of theft after carrying out roadside checks using automatic number plate recognition equipment.
Chief Inspector Clara Williams of Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan Division said: “Metal theft is not a victimless crime, and we have recently seen an increase in this type of offence corresponding with the increased value of metal. An investigation into who has sold this property to scrap dealers is now underway, and we will prosecute anyone thought to be involved.”
In you have information please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
For information more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
Visit twitter.com/#!/gmpolice to follow Greater Manchester Police on Twitter.
Operation Alloy
Raids at scrap metal premises across Wigan borough yesterday resulted in copper and lead worth tens of thousands of pounds being seized.
As part of Operation Alloy, four sites were visited by police, the Health and Safety Executive, trading standards officials from Wigan and Salford and asset recovery teams from United Utilities, Electricity North West, Virgin Media and BT Openreach.
Electricity North West recovered cabling and copper conductors worth over £3,000 and BT Openreach seized cable worth around £1,000.
Virgin Media found over 4,000 metres of lead and copper cabling, 160 metres of fibre-optic cabling that could supply around 10,000 properties with a broadband, phone and TV connection, and a similar length of cable used for business telephony systems. The company also seized four batteries used to supply power to temporary traffic lights and telephone junction boxes.
In addition, police arrested two people on suspicion of theft after carrying out roadside checks using automatic number plate recognition equipment.
Chief Inspector Clara Williams of Greater Manchester Police’s Wigan Division said: “Metal theft is not a victimless crime, and we have recently seen an increase in this type of offence corresponding with the increased value of metal. An investigation into who has sold this property to scrap dealers is now underway, and we will prosecute anyone thought to be involved.”
In you have information please call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity that will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
For information more about Greater Manchester Police please visit our website.
Visit twitter.com/#!/gmpolice to follow Greater Manchester Police on Twitter.