One man's trash is another man's treasure.
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This saying may be old, however it has an element of truth about it.
In the past anyone could take a trailer load of scrap aluminum, steel, stainless steel to the scrap metal man and make a bit of money.
Not a great deal but enough to buy some flowers for the wife or girlfriend or both.
Scrap can be worth a bit nowadays, not only to the owner but to any crook who decides to steal it.
That is one of the reasons why the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016 was born and took effect on March 1, 2017.
I know that you are wondering as to who will regulate the scrap metal industry legislation. The answer is, the NSW Police Force.
Under the act among other things, police are authorised to enter a scrap metal business premises at a reasonable time without a warrant and investigate contraventions of the act.
They are empowered to: search; take photographs and recordings; seize and copy records; and take other regulatory measures.
You may not think that it will affect you because you are not a scrap dealer and you could be right; however, it will affect you if you are a crook.
If you have just stolen a heap of scrap metal and think that you can take it to the scrap dealer for some easy cash, think again.
Scrap metal dealers are required to report suspicious transactions to police.
So, if this is you, we are going to get you.
The only way you can get out of it is by not committing the offence in the first place.
If you are a business and have scrap metal in bins or piles of scrap behind your business, be aware that some crooks still try and steal it.
Please secure your scrap. Strong fences, CCTV cameras, proper lighting, clear sightlines and guard dogs all help to deter the crooks.
If you are a crook planning one last job, remember, the Scrap Metal Industry Act 2016 prohibits scrap metal dealers from paying cash for scrap metal and require scrap metal dealers to keep and maintain records of transactions for buying scrap metal, including details of the person selling the scrap metal.
The days of Steptoe and Son are over.
Remember you can Dob in a Druggie any time you like by contacting Nowra Police or ringing Crime Stoppers. Do not drink and drive. As always, in case of an emergency call 000. In non-emergencies call the Policelink on 131 444 or your local police station. To provide anonymous information call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000. For domestic and family violence information, visit www.police.nsw.gov.au. For Shoalhaven Domestic Violence officers call 4421 9666 or 4421 9665 or email shoaldvlo@police.nsw.gov.au.
Don't forget, cops are tops.
Read more: Crime/Court