Metal Theft Laws Now In Effect in BC
Tuesday, July 24, 2012 @ 5:02 AM
Prince George, B.C. – Communities hard hit by metal theft are expected to see relief as a result of new regulations now in effect for transactions involving high-value metals.
The first provincial legislation of its kind in Canada, backed by regulations developed this year, is expected to significantly curb the sale of metals stolen in one community and then sold elsewhere, where no local bylaw exists.
This provincewide approach focuses on metals and objects typically targeted by metal thieves. These include copper wire – the main target in $10 million worth of thefts from Telus alone in 2011 – as well as aluminum, bronze, brass, lead, nickel, zinc and magnesium. The regulations also cover specific metal objects like metal traffic control lights, signals and signs, sewer grates and manhole covers, and metal grave makers.
Those wishing to sell regulated metals must now present valid identification. In turn, scrap dealers and recyclers who buy these metals will share purchase details with their local police. Officers will be able to use this information to compare against reports of stolen metal and seek court orders to obtain further information from dealers when required.
Minister of Justice and Attorney-general Shirley Bond says “We heard the call for a new law to crack down on metal theft and we responded. We have the first provincial law in the country that will remove anonymity and provide police with the kind of information they need to catch metal thieves. Metal theft is a public safety issue and we need to make sure that this kind of crime doesn’t pay.”
Comments
The identity of the sellor is important but is there a description of items and the address of origin also required to be documented by the purchaser?
Payment by cheques rather than cash should also be mandatory to minimise the monkey business.
It should be the same for pawn shops as well.
Its always nice to see that private people and business were accidentally covered by this new law that bites public utilities.
So is there something there that will prevent people from crossing into Alberta or the states to unload stolen metal too?
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