METAL thieves have been thwarted by a massive police and customs operation in Northwich.

Police targeted suspect vehicles on Wednesday in a bid to stamp out increasing thefts of anything metal, from copper cable and lead from roofs to grids and manhole covers.

The initiative also gave officers from HM Revenue and Customs chance to spot check vehicles for the illegal use of minimally taxed red diesel, which should only be used by agricultural vehicles, for heating or in electrical generators.

Sgt Dave Snasdell, who lead the crackdown, said: “There’s been a massive increase in thefts of metal over the past 12 months and this has a massive impact on the community.

“It’s not just thefts from churches and business premises but things like copper cable for phone lines, which could risk lives if someone doesn’t have a phone, and lead flashing from houses and old folks’ homes.”

The aim of the initiative, which hit vehicles using New Warrington Road and the surrounding area, was to disrupt the trade of stolen metals.

Police are working in partnership with Northwich’s scrapyards, including WR Roberts and Sons, in Chapel Street, and Northwich Metals, in Ollershaw Lane, to prevent thieves finding an easy outlet for their goods.

Sgt Snasdell said: “They’re keeping correct records of who’s coming in and working with us to prevent thefts.

“We’re relying on the honesty of the scrap metal dealers to say ‘I suspect this is stolen’ and not accepting it.”

Julian Jackson, from WR Roberts, said they had been victims of thieves themselves – £1,000 fuel was stolen in the latest incident – and were happy to work with police.

“Everyone suffers,” he said.

“The price of scrap has gone sky high because of the demand from abroad – places like China, India and Turkey.”

Jonathan Yoxall, from Northwich Metals, said he kept a strict record of all cars brought in as scrap and added: “In this job we’ve got to do something with police because with it being cash it attracts deadlegs – and I don’t want them round the place.”

More than 60 vehicles were stop-checked on Wednesday with four vehicles seized for no insurance or licence and three seized for red diesel – on the spot fines of £500 were paid for each of the vehicles using red diesel.

Anyone with any information about metal thefts should ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.