SCRAP metal collectors operating outside the law have been targeted in a stop and search exercise by Stroud District Council and police.

In response to complaints from residents about illegal scrap metal collectors, SDC licensing and environmental protection officers and Tri-Force specialist operations police officers teamed up to tackle the issue.

In one case, a van filled with scrap metal was taken off the road by police and towed away.

The joint operation on Wednesday, April 25 saw drivers of vehicles stopped and asked to provide details of their Waste Carriers Registration, transfer documentation and, where appropriate, to produce their licence to collect scrap metal.

This proactive exercise led to the service of three fixed penalty notices for waste offences, a vehicle seizure including its contents, and a number of warnings issued.

In Dursley a fixed penalty notice was issued for failing to produce a Waste Carrier Registration and in Stonehouse and Cashes Green FPNs were issued for inadequate transfer documentation.

In each case a fine of £300 was issued and one vehicle and its scrap metal contents was seized by the Police.

A Stroud District Council spokesman advised only disposing of scrap metal through a licensed scrap dealer - mobile dealers who ask for scrap ad hoc should have a license issued by the local authority for the area they are collecting in and must not sell or buy scrap metal using cash.

“We and partner agencies are committed to tackling waste crime through enforcement and education, and these exercises help to ensure that the right waste goes to the right place,” said community services and licensing committee chairman Steve Robinson.

“Illegal management of waste costs the taxpayer millions every year in clean-up costs, they undercut legitimate businesses, threaten sustainable growth in the waste management sector and take valuable resource from the public sector.”