A CRACKDOWN on metal theft saw illegal loads seized from three vehicles last week.

Officers from Dorset Police, the Environment Agency, the Vehicle Operator Services Agency and the Borough of Poole staged stop-checks in Poole to target those involved in the prohibited trade of scrap metal.

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 legislation requires dealers and collectors to be licensed by the local authority. A total of 18 vehicles were stopped during the operation.

Police officers also issued one fixed penalty notice for no insurance, and a second was given to a driver caught not wearing a seatbelt. Three prohibition notices were also handed out for a variety of other offences.

The day of action followed a previous initiative held in Dorset in February, which saw 36 vehicles stopped and illegal loads seized from two vehicles.

Sergeant Adrian Thompson said: “The aim of the operation was to reduce the amount of metal stolen and sold at scrap metal dealers in Dorset.

“We also wish to educate people about the recent change in legislation and what it means to those involved in the scrap metal trade.”