GWENT Police implemented a day of action last week to raise awareness of the new licensing legislation for scrap metal dealers.

The new Scrap Metal Dealers Act came into force on Tuesday 1st October meaning that it is now an offence for scrap metal dealers and collectors to buy scrap metal for cash, and when applying for a license from the local authority, they will now have to prove they are a fit and proper person before being granted a license.

The day of action raised awareness of the new legislation and saw scrap metal dealers stopped across Gwent. This resulted in £358 worth of scrap metal seized, four £500 fines issued and five people reported for non-compliant record keeping.

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Paul Harris said: "I'm proud Gwent Police has been highlighted as a model of best practice and is leading the way in implementing processes to enforce the law. Metal theft has a massive impact on the community and as such we cannot be complacent."

At the Monmouthshire County Council cabinet meeting last Wednesday (2nd October), councillors discussed how they will implement the new legislation on scrap metal. The council agreed that Monmouthshire had experienced vast metal theft, where manhole covers were removed and lead from roofs stolen.

Councillor Bryan Jones said: "Metal theft affects this area very badly. We've had the theft of lead from churches, drain covers from roads. This report is long overdue."