Metal thief banned from scrapyards
A metal thief has been banned from scrapyards across England and Wales after a raid at a West Bromwich metal recyclers.
Craig Airnes has also been banned him from handling scrap metal or any metal object more than a kilo in weight, unless he has a a receipt, after being handed a criminal anti social behaviour order.
The 34-year-old was arrested and charged with burglary after a break in at JA Williams on Birmingham Road on September 8.
Airnes was given a suspended prison sentence and the criminal anti social behaviour order (Crasbo) after pleading guilty to burglary at Sandwell Magistrates Court.
Airnes, who is from Bearwood, but has no fixed address, was given the 16-week suspended sentence when he was sentenced on Monday.
The Crasbo also bans him from entering areas in Sandwell including West Bromwich Central, Greets Green, The Lyng and St Pauls. If he breaches the order he can be arrested and possibly sent to prison.
Mr Williams, from JA Williams, said the raid had taken place at around 2.30pm on the Saturday afternoon and £60 worth of copper had been stolen.
"He broke into the offices and broke the windows and made off with some copper, only as much as he could carry," he said.
Sgt Colin Gallier, from the borough's offender management team said: "The prohibitions in place as a result of this Crasbo allow us to significantly control Airnes' behaviour."
The order comes as West Midlands Police launch a crackdown on metal thieves and rogue scrap dealers.
Scrap metal dealers throughout the West Midlands will be asking anyone trying to sell goods for photo identification, as the region becomes the latest area to adopt the national scheme Operation Tornado.
