Stopped in their tracks
6:02am Fri Jul 23, 2010
A major police operation on the roads around Bingham targeted thieves who have been stealing high-value machinery.
Checkpoints were set up on major routes in and out of the town on Wednesday as part of Operation Iron Acton.
Inspector Phil Hallam, of Bingham Police, said heavy plant equipment including diggers, tractors and machinery being used on major roadworks such as on the A46 were regularly targeted by thieves.
More than 100 officers from Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire took part in the eight-hour operation.
“This is part of the cross-border relationship we have to tackle crime,” said Inspector Hallam.
“We put a ring of steel around the main arterial roads through South Nottinghamshire with the hub at the Saxondale Island.
“We are continuing to take a hands-on approach because plant theft is a multi-million pound problem throughout the county.
“It is also a huge issue for the farming community in and around Bingham and we have had their full support in this operation.”
Around 200 vehicles were checked by the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency, who singled out large vans or cars with trailers capable of carrying heavy plant equipment.
Other vehicles were checked to make sure they were roadworthy.
“We stopped a number of vehicles for uninsured and illegal drivers and made related arrests,” said Inspector Hallam.
A secondary aim of the operation was to target scrap metal thieves. As the price of scrap metal has increased, it has led to an increase in thefts.
Inspector Hallam said: “There are cross-border criminals who come into Bingham to steal scrap metal and anything made of metal is considered valuable and could be targeted.”
Inspector Hallam hoped the operation would increase public confidence.
