A new trial scheme aimed at combating metal theft has been launched in the north east.
Operation Tornado requires anyone selling scrap metal to participating dealers in Northumbria, County Durham and Cleveland to provide proof of identity via a photo card. The trial will last for six months.
Lord Henley, Minister for Crime Prevention and Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction, launched the scheme at the metal recycling centre in Shildon, Co. Durham.
Cable theft remains a serious problem in the railway and rail chiefs will be watching the scheme closely.
