Durham Police operation targets scrap metal thieves

Nov 13 2008 By Paul Loraine

Dozens of suspected scrap metal thieves have been arrested in a major police operation across Darlington and south Durham.

‘Operation Hansel’ was drawn up to combat a wave of thefts of lead and other metals which were proving attractive to thieves as scrap prices soared earlier this year.

A dedicated team of officers was put together to tackle the problem and in the three months from mid-August to mid-October they made 40 arrests for theft, handling stolen goods, money laundering and other offences.