BMRA statement following police warnings on copper wire theft

Following this week’s police warnings about copper thefts in parts of Southern England, the British Metals Recycling Association has issued a statement.

Commenting, Antonia Grey, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the British Metals Recycling Association said: “The increase in the number of copper thefts over recent weeks is being driven in part by the rise in the price of copper.  However, it is also a result of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act (SMDA) 2013 not being enforced.  The SMDA makes it illegal to pay cash for scrap and requires all dealers to undertake enhanced ID checks when purchasing metal for recycling. The Act also requires the dealers to be licensed with their local authority. However, since the Act was introduced, the levels of enforcement have dropped dramatically seeing operators fall out of licensing and pay cash for scrap with impunity.”