 Police in Armagh have launched a new Text Alert initiative in a bid to reduce thefts of recycled metal waste and scrap, both locally and nationally. Police held a briefing for representatives from local recycled metal waste and scrap businesses to outline the aims of the scheme and how it will work. Officers from An Garda Siochanna in Monaghan also attended. Inspector Nigel Graham welcomed those present and provided an overview of this type of crime in the local area. Detective Chief Inspector Stephen Wright, CID, continued the presentation with advice on how the general public and businesses can assist the police in tackling this crime. The importance of reporting any suspicious activity was highlighted and businesses were urged to avail of the assistance police can give in protecting their property and preventing crime. Those present discussed the concept and rationale of the proposed text alert scheme. Over the coming weeks officers from Keady Neighbourhood Policing Team will collate contact numbers and email addresses of recycled metal waste and scrap businesses in the area. The alert scheme will be used to contact businesses by text to make them aware of any suspicious activity, thefts, attempts to sell material to another dealer or any other relevant incidents in their local areas. If necessary these texts will be followed up with more detailed emails. Businesses signed up to the scheme will also be contacted or visited by the neighbourhood team twice a year to assess the success of the scheme and how it can be developed. Feedback from those who attended the meeting was very positive and the briefing drew to a close with the chance to look at crime prevention material. All who attended were given the opportunity to avail of counterfeit currency detectors, UV pens and scanners. It is hoped to have the scheme up and running over the next few weeks. Plans are also in place to notify the Architects Registration Board UK, the Southern Area Planning Office, NHBC and local building suppliers of the scheme and what they can do to help prevent this type of crime. It is also anticipated that An Garda Siochanna will run a similar scheme and that the two will operate side by side to help tackle any cross border element to this criminal activity. |
