The government has announced that they will be putting as new ‘metal theft task force’ into place in an effort to curb the metal thefts that have blighted the Vale and Cotswolds areas in recent months.

The scheme will cost the Government £5 million and will include an increased focus on scrap metal industry regulation in addition to possible changes in the law should they be required.

The Chancellor commented “The Government is establishing a dedicated £5 million national taskforce, led by the British Transport Police, to tackle metal theft.

“This taskforce’s first steps will include an immediate programme of action targeting scrap metal dealers suspected to be trading illegally in stolen metal.”