A Kirkcaldy industrial estate became the latest focal point in the war against metal thieves yesterday.
Police officers descended on the Randolph Industrial Estate as part of Operation Scandium, performing spot checks on passing vehicles in the ongoing pursuit of those who trade in illegal scrap.
The nationwide initiative, led by the British Transport Police (BTP) and supported by Police Scotland and other agencies, is being ramped up over the next three weeks.
With the crime showing no signs of abating, PC Nicholas Duffy from the BTP said metal theft continued to have a huge impact on daily life.
“It’s still as prevalent now,” he said.
“There’s been metal thefts on the railway causing disruption towards Glasgow and Edinburgh.
“There was one recently on the main line between the two cities and it caused considerable disruption and cost about £250,000 of damage.
“There is a knock-on effect for commuters and there is power cables being stolen as well, so it is even affecting people in their homes.”
Vehicles entering the busy industrial estate were being stopped by officers at two checkpoints on either side of the complex.
Home to various scrap dealers, around 30 officers from Police Scotland, the BTP and other government agencies were involved in the day of action.
Operation Scandium has been prompted by legislation included within the Air Weapons and Licensing (Scotland) Act 2015.
In an effort to prevent “off the book” transactions involving scrap metal, the new laws mean that all sales will have to involve a bank account, improving accountability.
Mr Duffy added: “We’re stopping vehicles going in or towards scrap metal dealers looking for metal in the back and making people aware of new legislation that is coming out, hopefully, next year.
“That’s about creating a paper trail, doing away with cash transactions involving a scrap metal dealer and moving it towards a bank-to-bank transfer.
“It means that we have people’s names and addresses and that can stop any metal thefts in the area.”