New Scrap metal regulations are here!

CHANGES IN REGULATIONS

After months of speculation over possible changes in regulation. The Home Office has finally released a guidance document.

Which outlines details of the ‘new’ offence of cash payments for scrap metal.

Due to rising prices for metal and steel, theft of these materials have been  increased over the last few years. 

Furthermore, items could easily be exchanged for cash at scrapyards or waste transfer stations with no consequence to the individual.

Now, due to this new change in the law, this once cash dominated industry will be fully documented with all parties traceable.

Although, we are sure that there will be certain individuals who will manage to find ways around this.

However, we are sure that this new law will help to greatly reduce the theft of metal from places such as skips, memorials, train lines, driveways & gardens e.t.c.

KEY POINTS TAKING EFFECT ON  DECEMBER 2012

If a scrap metal merchant pays for scrap metal in cash after the 3rd December 2012 the following are guilty of an offence:

1. The scrap metal merchant
2. The person who makes the payment acting for the merchant
3. A manager who fails to take reasonable steps to prevent  the payment being made in breach of subsection 1 of the LASPO 2012 act.

Payments by cheque or electronic transfer will now be the only acceptable type of payment. This ensures a sufficient audit trail.