Alert over allotment conmen
ALLOTMENT holders are being warned to be on their guard against thieves posing as council workers.
Hartlepool Borough Council officials have released the alert after a recent incident in the town’s Thornhill allotments, next to Grayfields recreation ground.
A group of men visited the site claiming to be council employees and took down a fence separating two gardens.
It is thought that they will have weighed it in as “scrap”.
The matter has been reported to the police, who have confirmed that they are investigating the matter and are urging people to be vigilant.
Helen Beaman, the council’s environment co-ordinator, said: “Metal thefts are on the increase due to the current high value of scrap, and we want to alert allotment holders to the fact that a group of thieves may be targeting sites around the town.
“If any allotment holder is approached by someone claiming to work for the council then they should ask for identification or contact us straight away.”
Inspector Lee Rukin, of Hartlepool Police, has given his own support to the council and revealed that the force’s own clampdown on metal thieves, Operation Throttle, was continuing.
It involves police officers being located at the town’s three main scrap yards and checking loads as they arrive.
He added: “Despite this, there are still individuals out there who will try to profit by stealing valuable metal and allotments have been the targets of such thefts.
“I would urge allotment holders to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. In particular, they should note the registration numbers of any vehicles collecting scrap.”
Mrs Beaman also warned that council staff would be clamping down on the storage of waste metal on allotments.
He said: “Our tenancy rules clearly state that such materials should not be stored on allotments and enforcement action will be taken against any tenants found to be operating unofficial waste transfer stations from their plots.”
The council can be contacted on (01429) 523406.
Allotment holders can ring their local neighbourhood policing team by calling (01642) 326326 and information about scrap metal thefts can be reported anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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Weather for Hartlepool
Saturday 26 May 2012
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