Results of first joint metal theft task force

During September, British Transport Police officers from the Cardiff Metal Theft Team worked with officers from Gwent Police to set up the first joint metal theft task force, tackling problems in the Caerphilly area.

Over three weeks, the force saw a massive reduction in metal theft and other aspects of criminality. Not a single metal theft took place in the Rhymney Valley, which had always been an area where metal thefts had caused severe disruption to the railway.

Twenty people were arrested for offences including cable theft, theft of diesel, metal theft, drug offences, breaching a court order, obstructing police and being a failed asylum seeker, driving while disqualified and drink-driving.

Other successes included:

• 15 loads of scrap metal were seized to the value of £1,794.10.23
• 23 people reported for driving without insurance
• 22 people reported for driving without a licence
• 26 vehicles seized under section 165 of the Road Traffic Act