Police advice for dealing with dodgy scrap collectors

Police have issued residents with advice after a rise in the number of thefts linked to scrap collectors.
Northumberland Inspector Liz Hall.Northumberland Inspector Liz Hall.
Northumberland Inspector Liz Hall.

Neighbourhood Inspector Liz Hall said: “In areas including and between Amble and Alnwick there has been a rise in the number of thefts linked to scrap collectors.

“There is nothing illegal in the process, providing the collector has the correct licences and this can be useful to remove large electrical items, etc, for free.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I would encourage residents to secure their gardens and if you sight anything suspicious or see entry into yards and gardens that you feel goes beyond an acceptable check, then please call 101.

“If at all possible, without any confrontation, take a description of the vehicle and persons and registration for further inquiries.

“I would reassure residents that additional patrols are being put in place to carry out checks and deter criminal behaviour, but their support and information helps us focus patrols into the right locations.”

○ Action Fraud – the UK’s national fraud and cyber reporting centre – has warned about fake DVLA refund emails, containing links to a phishing website designed to steal personal/financial details. The emails give people a deadline of two days to claim a refund, with the date changing as new ones are sent out.

Action Fraud has had almost 1,000 reports of DVLA phishing attempts in the last nine weeks. People are urged not to click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails.