Councils net new powers as scrap metal licensing regime comes into force

The licensing regime under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 – which gives councils greater powers to tackle metal thefts – has come into force today (1 October).

The Act, which replaces legislation dating back to 1964, sees:

• Scrap metal dealers required to obtain a three-year licence to trade from their local authority. Trading without a licence will be a criminal offence. The Environment Agency will hold a central public register of all licensed dealers;
• A ban on the buying and selling of scrap metal with cash. Sellers will have to have a licence provide ID at the point of sale;
• Councils handed new powers of entry and inspection and the ability to shut down rogue dealers.

Existing dealers will have a two-month transitional period to apply for new licences. The new enforcement rules will come into force on 1 December.

Welcoming the new powers for councils, the Local Government Association said metal thefts cost the UK economy more than £700m every year. It added that nine in ten local authorities had themselves been victims, at a cost of more than £5m.

Cllr Mehboob Khan, chair of the LGA’s Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said: “Metal thefts have had a hugely negative impact on communities, businesses and councils with trains disrupted, precious memorials desecrated, church and library roofs vandalised, schools targeted and road signs stolen.


“Much of these stolen goods were ending up in scrap yards and out-dated legislation left councils powerless to act and having to pick up the bill to replace them at a time when funding cuts are putting a strain on their ability to deliver vital services.”

Cllr Khan said the Act would make it easier for councils and the police to “both prevent and tackle this criminal activity that causes such damage, distress and disruption”.

He added: “It is also supported by responsible scrap metal dealers keen to see rogue traders shut down and prosecuted and stopped from bringing their trade into disrepute. From today, we can all work together to clean up the industry once and for all and protect communities from the scourge of metal theft.”
 

The 2013 Act was the result of a Private Member’s Bill introduced by Richard Ottoway MP.