Police have targeted a County Durham village as part of an operation to cut the number of metal thefts.
Officers were joined by staff from the Vehicle Operators Standards Agency and customs officials in the operation at Shildon, near Bishop Auckland.
Durham Police said the operation resulted in a number of fixed penalties being issued.
A spokesman said metal thefts accounted for up to 8% of all reported crime in the Durham force area.
He added: "With scrap metal values remaining high, this is an area which is currently proving very attractive to criminals.
"Further operations are planned over the next few months and our intention is to make it increasingly difficult for thieves to steal and then sell various metals."
- Published14 July 2010
