This from the Local Government Association...
On the eve of Remembrance Sunday, local authorities are pressing for
urgent action to be taken to tackle a crime which has seen memorials
desecrated, caused transport chaos and costs the country hundreds of
millions of pounds every year.
The Local Government Association, which represents more than 370
councils in England and Wales, is warning that a long overdue overhaul
of scrap metal legislation will fail to materialise if the report stage
of Richard Ottaway MP's Private Members Bill ends in deadlock on Friday.
Cllr Mehboob Khan, Chairman of the LGA's Safer and Stronger Communities Board, said:
"MPs owe it to their constituencies to do everything in their power
to turn the tide on this mindless crime which is spiralling out of
control.
"Scrap metal thefts have caused transport chaos, closed down
churches and schools, and caused heartache for families who have seen
memorials to loved ones plundered for scrap.
"To steal at all puts public safety at risk but to take cherished memorial plaques is a heartless and offensive crime
"The legislation for regulating the scrap metal industry has long
ceased to be fit for purpose and we can't afford for Parliament to stall
any longer on bringing it up to date.
"It will be a devastating blow to the millions of people who have
been inconvenienced, injured or distressed by the metal theft epidemic
if this opportunity to make a stand against metal thieves and rogue
scrapyards is squandered."
According to the Daily Telegraph, Ottoway's bill is likely to be derailed by Christopher Chope, a
former minister and Philip Davies MP for Shipley who have tabled more than 100 amendments.
In a tweet earlier today @PhilipDaviesMP said: I have met with people in the scrap metal business and am doing so again tomorrow. Feel free to email me with any points
Philip Davies email is: philip.davies.mp@parliament.uk and Christopher Chope MP can be contacted at chopec@parliament.uk
As ever, Eye readers are encouraged to vote both early and often, but politely putting the case for the Ottoway bill!
UPDATE: For those interested...
The Scrap Metal Dealers Bill: Committee Stage Report can be found here
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