A Caerphilly man who was caught red handed illegally collecting scrap metal in Beddau has been fined more than £1,100 by Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court.
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s dedicated Licencing Officers caught Mr. Cole from Caerphilly, during a routine check they were carrying out on Hackney Carriage vehicles. Mr Cole was clearly seen collecting scrap metal in a white Ford tipper van in Commercial Street, Beddau.
In 2013 the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 was introduced to combat the rising problem of metal theft across the UK. The Act aims to regulate the scrap metal industry more effectively and orders all scrap metal collectors to be licenced by a local authority.
The Act states that if you are collecting scrap metal you need to have a collector’s licence. You need to have a separate licence for each local authority area you collect from.
When the Council’s Licencing Officers approached Mr Cole, who was the driver of the vehicle, he claimed the licence and badge were not present due to having recently cleaned the tipper. He was reminded of the legal requirement to always carry the licence.
When the team investigated the case and checked the Licensing teams records it was discovered that Mr. Cole did not have a licence issued by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council. A prosecution case file was prepared by officers for the courts, so that further action to be taken.
Mr Cole did not attend the hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates Court and was found guilty in his absence of undertaking the business of a scrap metal dealer without the appropriate licence.
He was fined £660, with additional costs £200 and victim surcharge £264, to be paid in 28 days.
The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 aims to regulate the scrap metal industry more effectively by:
- Requiring all scrap metal dealers to be licensed by local authorities, with powers to refuse or revoke licences based on suitability.
- Banning cash payments for scrap metal transactions to improve traceability and reduce criminal activity.
- Mandating identity checks and detailed record-keeping for all transactions to ensure accountability.
- Providing enforcement powers to police and local authorities for inspections and compliance checks.
By strengthening oversight and promoting transparency, the Act helps protect communities, supports legitimate businesses, and ensures environmentally responsible disposal of scrap metal.
Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Communities, said:
“Our dedicated teams continue to work hard to stop “rogue traders” from operating in the area, whether that’s scrap metal, counterfeit goods, illegal vapes – we will take the necessary action when needed to hold those responsible to account.
“Not only is what they are doing illegal, but it could also take business away from our genuine businesses and put our residents at risk of being fined or prosecuted too.
“As this case shows, we take unlicensed waste and scrap metal collection very seriously, and we will work hard to prosecute offenders.”
Licensing officers urge anyone currently collecting scrap metal or considering doing so to contact the Licensing Team for advice on obtaining the appropriate licence.
