Cash payments for scrap now outlawed in Scotland

Europe – From the start of September, metal dealers in Scotland can no longer pay cash for scrap and are now required to verify the identity of the seller. To coincide with the new legislation, a week of action is being undertaken by a number of agencies, including British Transport Police, Police Scotland and Trading Standards.

According to Robert Fell, chief executive of the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA), his organisation welcomes the cash ban and the enhanced identification requirements.

But he stresses that, to be truly effective, ‘on-going enforcement will be crucial’ when initial compliance initiative funding ends next year. In conjunction with others, the association has produced a range of materials to enhance its Scottish members’ understanding of the ramifications of the new legislation and to raise awareness among customers who may not yet be aware of the changes in the law.

Last month saw the launch of Crimestoppers’ Scrap the Cash campaign in Scotland which includes placement of billboards near scrap metal yards encouraging dealers and members of the public to report those yards who break the law and pay cash for scrap.

‘I would urge colleagues in the industry as well as members of the public to use the Crimestoppers anonymous reporting site to help us stamp out cash payments and to make it harder for illegal yards to continue to operate,’ states BMRA’s technical director Howard Bluck.

As an independent charity, Crimestoppers cannot track people who contact them and so its reporting system comes with a ‘100% guarantee of anonymity’, it is added.