A SCRAPYARD director has jumped to the defence of his industry and said proper record-keeping rather than new legislation would help to eliminate metal thefts.

John Cumberland, from International Waste Metals, in Shildon, County Durham, says the majority of scrap dealers are conscientious businesses, and said: “Don’t tar us all with the same brush.”

He believed a range of measures across different aspects of society would help combat the illegal trade in stolen metal.

His call comes after The Northern Echo reported on Darlington Police’s latest clampdown which saw ten arrests in the first week in response to metal thefts across the town.

Yesterday, the team reported two further arrests for scrap thefts – but that lead had been stolen from a church in the town.

It led to police, the town’s MP Jenny Chapman and East Coast joining calls for tighter regulation on scrap yards.

However, Mr Cumberland disagreed and said proposed changes such as preventing cash purchases would simply drive the trade underground.

He said his business worked closely with police to allow them to chase up suspected thieves.

He keeps meticulous records, including names, addresses and vehicle registrations.

He only buys from people who turn up on site in private vehicles and has a 24- hour CCTV system which keeps footage for a month and can be inspected by officers.

Mr Cumberland said: “We want the same as the police.

We want to stamp this out. We don’t want the criminal fraternity in here. We are a legitimate business. Everyone wants the same.

“Yes, we have bought metal in the past that we didn’t know was stolen. We only knew it was stolen when police came in and arrested someone.

“We have a job to do here when it comes in to our business.

We don’t want to buy stolen metal. We have some high-value customers who we are proud of. We are well respected in this business.”

He added: “We want this to stop – and the main way to stop it is proper identification.

We take everyone’s details, registration and names and have cameras. But everybody has to do it – not just us.

“But these are thieves. They would steal anything. It is the same as someone going in to pubs to sell something they have stolen.

“People have to be vigilant everywhere, look after their neighbourhood and use Smartwater to mark their property. If people see someone suspicious, they should call the police. That’s what the police are for.”