Seventeen lorries were seized as part of a police operation targeting metal thieves in the Black Country.

More than 50 vehicles were pulled over in Friar Park, Wednesbury, yesterday, as part of Operation Steel.

Over three hours, officers checked loads being carried to see if there were any stolen items.They also looked to see if the scrap metal lorries were roadworthy, and whether drivers had the correct insurance cover.

Although no-one was arrested for metal theft yesterday, seven drivers were issued with summonses for having no insurance, and had their lorries seized.

A further 10 vehicles were seized because they were not roadworthy.

Sgt Chris Willis declared the operation a success.

Metal thefts in the West Midlands have soared in recent months.

There were 600 thefts in seven weeks in the Black Country last summer, up by 240 per cent on the same period in 2009.