Cops 'winning war' against metal thieves (From Clacton and Frinton Gazette)
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Cops 'winning war' against metal thieves
9:00am Thursday 25th October 2012 in News
POLICE are claiming victory in the battle against metal thieves after a major crackdown.
Operation Tornado was launched in a bid to combat the spiralling number of cases.
Essex had the worst record in the country with memorial plaques, children’s play equipment, and church and school roofs targeted by crooks.
Last month Thorpe headteacher John Crane was forced to send pupils home after thieves struck. He arrived at the Rolph School to find water on the floor after lead flashing was taken from the roof.
The school flooded after torrential rain.
And a fortnight ago, St Clare’s Primary, in Clacton, was also hit by thieves.
Spot-checks have been carried out on cars in the county to clamp down on thefts.
Chief Insp Jason Scrivener, who is spearheading the crackdown, said there had been a “significant” reduction in metal thefts recently.
The Government is also taking action with cash transactions being banned from December. Many scrapyards have also agreed to insist on photo ID before buying metal from people
