Fury at rogue scrap dealers

Soaring numbers of illegal scrap dealers are scouring Cannock streets looking for metal to cash in on record prices, it emerged today.

Bosses at Cannock Chase Council said they were seeing a rising number of cowboy dealers setting up in the area. There has also been a rise in complaints over noise caused by airhorns and bugles used by the dealers to advertise to homeowners as they drive along the street.

In the last two months environmental protection officers at the council say they have received seven complaints over noise.

Three scrap merchants have been caught carrying waste without a licence and Staffordshire Police has seized one vehicle which was being driven without insurance during an operation in July.

Now the council has said the appeal of high scrap metal prices, which is being fuelled by demand from Asia, is leading unscrupulous dealers to tour the streets offering to remove washing machines, cookers and other metal items from residents.

Unlicensed carriers could also end up dumping non-metal waste and if the rubbish is traced back to a resident they could be fined for not checking the dealer was licensed.

A homeowner can receive a maximum fine of £5,000 if they do not check someone taking rubbish from their property is licensed.

Environmental protection manager Karen Sulway said: "People starting up a scrap metal business need to be aware if they are carrying waste they must be licensed to do so. They can't just start up.

"We have also been getting complaints over the noise from the bugles and reports dealers are visiting the same streets three times a week or more."

To find out if a tradesman is a licensed waste carrier residents can call the Environment Agency on 08708 506 506.