HUNDREDS of pounds worth of metal was seized during a day of action by Gwent Police in Abercarn on Monday to target theft among scrap metal dealers.

The new Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 came into force yesterday meaning dealers who apply for a licence from the local authority will have to prove they are entitled to have one.

ID cards will also be issued and will need to be displayed in the collector’s van and records of transactions will need to be kept for three years.

The day of action, held at the Prince of Wales Industrial Estate, resulted in £358 worth of scrap metal being seized, five people reported for non-compliant record keeping, four £500 fines being issued, and four vehicles seized for running on red diesel.

Two vehicles were seized for having no insurance, while one person was reported for driving without a licence.

Seven people were also prosecuted by Department of Work & Pensions for fraudulent benefit claims, while eight people were prosecuted by Natural Resources Wales for waste transfer offences.

A fixed penalty notice was issued for driving a vehicle in a dangerous condition and for driving without a seatbelt, while 41 VOSA prohibitions were issued for vehicle defect offences.

Paul Harris, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “Metal theft has a massive impact on the community and as such we cannot be complacent. Gwent Police will continue to be innovative and determined in tackling this crime.”