Global Investigations Comments On New Legislation That States All Scrap Dealers Must Now Undergo Background Checks
London, England (PRWEB UK) 19 December 2013 -- As of the 1st December, 2013, every scrap dealer, collector, salvage operator and dismantler must have had a criminal background check carried out, to ensure they are fit to run a business.
Under the brand new Scrap Metal Dealers Act, all those in the industry must also apply to have a scrap collector’s license which is officially sanctioned by the local council.
Other changes in the legislation require scrap metal dealers to only trade in either cheques or bank transfers, whereby every transaction can be recorded.
Every seller of scrap metal must also have their personal ID recorded at the point of sale. This latest piece of legislation is aimed to reduce the growing issue of lucrative stolen scrap metal.
A nationwide campaign to combat metal theft has begun to show the first signs of success. Figures released by the Home Office on November 28th have seen a steady decline in the amount of stolen scrap crimes. From April to June 2012, there were 20,151 thefts reported. This then fell to 12,076 from January to March 2013. The new act is hoped to further put a dent in any scrap metal offenders.
The British Metals Recycling Association Director General, Ian Hetherington said that “the new Act improves the traceability of scrap metal transactions, limits potential outlets for stolen metal and establishes increased penalties for breaking the law.”
Setting up more stringent criminal background checks is something that Global Investigations are experts at. By tightening the controls over crooked scrap metal dealers, the industry is hoped to continue seeing a dramatic drop in crimes.
Jack Roberts, Global Investigations, http://www.globalinvestigations.co.uk/, +44 800 073 3555, [email protected]
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