Scrap Metal Thefts

[ronan]

Mr. Seamus O'Lightfinger

 

[breezer]

We got a flyer through the door the other day looking like a cross between a charity flyer and a gardening services advert.

1 side went to great lengths explaining the benefits of recycling with lots of three arrow logos.

ANY METAL CAN BE RECYCLED was an overused phrase

The other side explained that this particular "company" would be visiting to collect any items left out for recycling.

What worried me was that it said "leave any items out for reycling"

Is this basically an alibi that anything left outside can be taken "well officer we left a flyer saying leave any metal outside for recycling" even if the cast iron chimenea NORMALLY resides in the garden

 

[madkayaker]

It's probity the council trying to rase funds! Had people on site this week trying to lift earth bar and lightning rods etc but they got disturbed before they finished but they still have done enough damage to take three days to correct. They tried to get into a HV enclosure that has live exposed bars at 11kv that would have slowed them down

 

[Robotstar5]

They tried to get into a HV enclosure that has live exposed bars at 11kv that would have slowed them down

When the foundry I worked at closed in 1979 some one got fried trying to hacksaw through the incoming 11kv feeders to the sub station!

 

[the snooper]

When the foundry I worked at closed in 1979 some one got fried trying to hacksaw through the incoming 11kv feeders to the sub station!

they get what the deserve, a few mile away someone broke into a substation and stole part of the earthing system which in turn caused spikes that damaged loads of peoples appliances causing a few fires aswell and the worst thing was people were in bed at the time some woke up to sound of exploding power supplies in their sky boxes and similar equipment left on over night

 

[Robotstar5]

I must try and scan in a pic from one of the trade mags showing a pair of bolt croppers welded to a cable they were trying to cut

 

[MattF]

Is this basically an alibi that anything left outside can be taken "well officer we left a flyer saying leave any metal outside for recycling" even if the cast iron chimenea NORMALLY resides in the garden

Wouldn't surprise me if that was the general thinking. We occasionally have spates where the pikeys appear and take whatever they damn well please, given half a chance.

The usual scrap blokes are fine. They know I tend to have stuff for them on occasion, knew where to look for stuff I leave them, knock before taking etc., but then the thiving scrotes appear on occasion and ****** things up. I've ended up blocking the side of the house off so that none of them can access it now, and now have to collar the scrappers as they're doing their rounds if we have owt for them.

Regarding the foreigners bit which has been mentioned earlier, we have plenty of homegrown thieving scum knocking about too. It ain't always outsiders which are responsible.

 

[madkayaker]

I must try and scan in a pic from one of the trade mags showing a pair of bolt croppers welded to a cable they were trying to cut

There was one in this moths sparks mag

 

[breezer]

Definitely not the council, in fact got another one tonight, different name on the top, printed in a different colour ink and only on one side (first was both sides)

Looks to me like an attempt to legalise thieving anything they want from my property (police had a bit of a crackdown recently)

 

[CompoSimmonite]

Last week I tidied up a little and took the small amount of scrap to the metal merchant. I got £65 Now I could have given it to a passing tatter but why should I ? In the days of Steptoe and Son rag and bone men PAID for scrap, albeit a small amount, as they knew they could resell for a lot more. The modern collectors are little more than beggars. They see metal and ask if they can have it (those that don't just help thmeselves). I feel like asking them if they have a mobile phone and if so can I have that to sell as in my eyes it's exactly the same !
We had a leaflet though the door from Kidney research asking for scrap. A proper phone number was given and said they would collect. Now wouldn't that be a better idea - council collecting scrap once a week the same as they do the bins and after taking off their costs donating the remained to registered charities. They could even use "community payback" workers so nil wages costs.
I still say, like Taxi and private hire, all metal collectors should have their council waste collectors licence details displayed on the front and rear of the vehicle plus wear identification badges to confirm registered. That way all Police have to do is impound any vehicle full of scrap which isn't displaying the appropriate details. To release their vehicles owners would have to provided all the correct documentation.
I have no problem with those that collect metal as long as they are properly registers with council, have legal insured for business vehciles, pay tax / NIC, aren't claiming benefits etc but unfortunatley the cynic in me automatically assumes most are not entirely honest in on way or another.

Paul H

 

[rtbcomp]

They could even use "community payback" workers so nil wages costs. and probably next to nil scrap finding it's way to it's intended destination!

Our council had a "big items collection day" a few years back, the pikeys did the rounds and nicked the scrap before the council men had even got out of bed.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

They could even use "community payback" workers so nil wages costs. and probably next to nil scrap finding it's way to it's intended destination!

Our council had a "big items collection day" a few years back, the pikeys did the rounds and nicked the scrap before the council men had even got out of bed.

When I used to spend a lot of time in Brussels I was surprised to see every so often that people would put their unwanted items on the pavement. Anybody could then help themselves and what was left the council collected. We picked up 3 chairs that needed seat recovering when a window of an apartment above opened up and a woman shouted that we could have the other matching one as well if we wanted.
Councils moan about items going to landfill and want us to recycle but if you are at a council tip then even stuff going to the landfill can't be touched !

Paul H

 

[rtbcomp]

In the good old days the local dumpit site was a source of many useful items for a few beer tokens to the operatives.

Freecycle is a help, but it's a bit of a faff at times.

 

[ronan]

In the good old days the local dumpit site was a source of many useful items for a few beer tokens to the operatives.

Freecycle is a help, but it's a bit of a faff at times.

It used to be like that over here too rtbcomp , but some greedy brightspark spotted a way of suing the council/government and it was all stopped. That and elf and safety.

 

[brightspark]

health and safety have put a stop to mooching at the tip and scrap yards now for safety and insurance purposes i can still get in one but u have to have safety boots a green high viz jacket and a safety helmet and gloves .every one is out to sue u and get compo now so im not suprissed

 

[Wozzaaah]

Definitely not the council, in fact got another one tonight, different name on the top, printed in a different colour ink and only on one side (first was both sides)

Looks to me like an attempt to legalise thieving anything they want from my property (police had a bit of a crackdown recently)

Mobile number thinly disguised, always raises my suspicion.
Only way to deal with that is keep everything out of sight as they'd see anything left out as fair game and would be able to blag their way out of it if they were caught.

 

[rtbcomp]

They do say attach the leaflet to any unwanted items.

I still reckon its Seamus O'Lightfinger though, they ask for tin sheets, let that slip, it should of course be thin sheets.

 

[CompoSimmonite]

I suppose you could always wire up any metal to an electric fence generator. Would be best if recorded on CCTV as there might be a fee payable from TV show for the clip

Paul H

 

[breezer]

They do say attach the leaflet to any unwanted items.

I still reckon its Seamus O'Lightfinger though, they ask for tin sheets, let that slip, it should of course be thin sheets.

But as they are the ones handing the leaflets out if they get stopped they will have some which they will / can claim were attached to the items...

 

[pedrobedro]

I still reckon its Seamus O'Lightfinger though, they ask for tin sheets, let that slip, it should of course be thin sheets.

I'm pretty certain they will take tick sheets as well