Call us 0333 370 4333
15/08/17

Scrap Metal Dealers | Kangs Regulatory Offence Solicitors

Share

Scrap metal consists of recyclable materials arising from many sources such as motor vehicles and domestic products and, unlike scrap waste, it has a monetary value which, historically, has frequently led to criminal activity in its acquisition and disposal.

John Veale of Kangs Solicitors comments upon the current legislation.

The Legislation | Kangs Solicitors Regulatory Advisors

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (‘the Act’), which came into force on 1st October 2013, is designed to combat the ever growing menace of the theft of metal such as lead from church roofs to cabling serving telecommunications, transport and power supplies and its reduction, by way of smelting, to an untraceable product which is then sold for cash by the thieves, frequently to unscrupulous dealers.

The Act introduced a system of regulation for those dealing in scrap metal, including those dealing with scrap motor vehicles, by the introduction of two classifications of licence:

  • one covering dealers who conduct business from premises and receive delivered scrap and the other  covering
  • dealers who search out for and collect scrap.

Issue of Licences | Kangs Regulatory Offences Team

The issue of a license depends upon the applicant’s suitability and the local authority should consider such matters as:

  • previous convictions for fraud/dishonesty,
  • environment offences,
  • a previous refusal of a licence or Environment Agency permit

The Secretary of State has issued guidelines that local authorities must heed when considering applications and in addition they have authority to:

  • revoke a licence, if they deem a dealer to be no longer a suitable holder
  • add conditions to a licence
  • close down unlicensed sites
  • undertake/authorise site inspections.

Duty to Keep Records | Kangs Criminal Defence Team

All licensed dealers now have a duty to keep records detailing:

  • a description of the metal purchased
  • the date and time of receipt of metal
  • the person who supplied the metal (including verification of identity)
  • the vehicle delivering the metal
  • the method and recipient of payment
  • how the acquired metal was sold on/disposed of

Penalties For Breach Of The Act | Kangs Criminal Solicitors

The Act creates offences as follows:

  • dealing in scrap without a licence - unlimited fine.
  • failure to notify change of details on a licence - maximum fine of £1,000.
  • obstructing the local authority/police in carrying out site inspections/closure - maximum fine of £1000.
  • dealing in cash – unlimited fine. (All payments must now be made by cheque or by electronic transfer.)
  • failure to keep records – unlimited fine
  • failure to provide records - maximum fine of £1,000.

How Can We Help You? | Kangs Regulatory Defence Solicitors

At Kangs Solicitors, we have an experienced team of Solicitors able to advise on and defend investigations and prosecutions for breaches of regulatory matters of every nature.

If you require assistance of any nature covered by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 our team can be contacted through any of the following:

Hamraj Kang
hkang@kangssolicitors.co.uk
07976 258171 | 020 7936 6396 | 0121 449 9888

John Veale
jveale@kangssolicitors.co.uk
07779 055907 | 0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396

Tim Thompson
tthompson@kangssolicitors.co.uk
0121 449 9888 | 020 7936 6396

News insights, Serious Fraud, Services
A former Labour MP, Jared O’Mara, has received an immediate custodial sentence of four years having been found guilty, following his trial, of six counts of fraud relating to false expenses claims for work that he never carried out in respect of jobs that did not even exist. For further Press details please follow the […]
07/03/23
Criminal Litigation, News insights, Services
Kangs Solicitors has recently successfully defended a client facing an allegation of assault occasioning actual bodily harm arising from an incident forced upon him whilst he was simply conducting his  business, running a restaurant in London’s West End, when confronted with an unsavoury situation. Kangs Solicitors was instructed from the onset attending the interview under caution at Charing […]
06/03/23
Insolvency, News insights, Services
Kangs Solicitors has been instructed to defend claims against our client alleging breaches of Section 212 and 213 of the Insolvency Act 1986. The claims are being brought by the joint liquidators of our client’s company on the basis that our client allegedly knew that he and his company were participating in ‘Missing Trader Intra- Community’ Fraud’ […]
01/03/23

Get in touch

Need legal assistance? Contact our experienced team for prompt and professional support.
Your privacy is important to us and all details you share will be kept confidential.
Old map of Birmingham