Council and police clamp down on rogue scrap metal collectors
By James Young | 4th April 2019
Scrap metal and waste collectors operating outside the law have been targeted in a stop and search exercise by Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire Police.
The council's licensing and environmental protection officers teamed up with specialist police officers last week to tackle the issue of unlicensed collectors, after public concern was raised.
The joint operation with tri-force specialist operations officers saw drivers stopped and asked to provide relevant documentation and, where necessary, their licence to collect scrap metal.
In one case, a van driver carrying scrap metal was served with a £300 Fixed Penalty Notice for failing to produce a Waste Carrier Registration.
Two other matters are to be investigated further and advice was provided to a number of other operators.
The council's environment committee chairman Simon Pickering said: "Stroud District Council remains committed to tackling waste crime and continues to work with partner agencies to address this
"Part of that commitment involves educating operators about their legal duty of care alongside appropriate enforcement activity.
"We would also advise residents to only give or sell scrap metal or waste to a licensed operator."
The operation comes as the council looks to deliver on the five key visions in its Corporate Delivery Plan covering the environment, which includes recycling.
Only licensed scrap dealers can offer the assurance that the metal will be disposed of properly.
The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 places a requirement for all businesses involved in buying and selling of scrap metal to be licensed by the Local Authority and includes both those who operate from sites and those who collect door to door.
To find out more visit: https://www.stroud.gov.uk/business/licensing-permits/scrap-metal-licences
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