SCRAP from four vehicles was seized on Monday as part of an operation to crackdown on metal theft in the Forest.

Police and licensing officers at the Forest of Dean District Council were leading Operation Tornado on the A48 near Bathurst Park in Lydney when they found that those transporting the metal did not possess the relevant documentation. The funds from the sale of that metal will now go back to police.

During their operation, automatic number plate recognition (ANPR) technology was used to help identify and stop those who could be breaching the law or involved in offences while licensing officers checked vehicles and issued penalties where necessary.

Among the other results, three vehicles were found to have no insurance, one tested positive for red diesel and one motorist was found to be using a mobile phone while driving.

The operation, which has been particularly successful in Gwent recently, is an initiative following on from the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 which places new stringent measures upon those who purchase, sell or in any way transport or deal in scrap metals.

A spokesman for Gloucestershire Police said: "Officers were out in force with the Forest of Dean District Council in a bid to crackdown on those transporting stolen metal and cashing in at local scrap yards.

"Anyone transporting metal without the appropriate licence, insurance or details of who they have bought scrap from could have their property seized and possibly face a fine. A licence must be issued by their local council."

Superintendent Phil Haynes said: "This was our part of a wider day of action against metal theft in the region but we and our partners have been right at the forefront of setting good practice in the last couple of years.

"We've clamped down on dealers ignoring the law, made regular checks on scrap yards and recovered thousands of pounds of stolen metal, making arrests and issuing fines where necessary.

"The situation has improved because of this but we are determined to continue the progress and make sure metal thieves know there is no place for them in this county.

"Schools, churches, shops and ordinary members of the public have all been the targets of this type of crime in the past and many have been severely inconvenienced and out of pocket as a result. We will not tolerate such behaviour."