EVESHAM residents have been reminded that any person who transports scrap metal requires a licence or they will face a fine of £200.

The warning has come as police across the area continue to tackle the growing trend of metal thefts, which has recently escalated due to a significant increase in the value of scrap and other non-ferrous metals.

Detective Constable Terry Markovics, from West Mercia Constabulary's Intelligence Bureau, said: "West Mercia is clamping down on metal thefts and as part of that we are focusing on the transportation of scrap.

"Anyone transporting scrap metal must have a Waste Carriers Licence. They also need a Duty of Care Transfer Note, supplied free by the Environment Agency, which sets out where the scrap has come from, what it is and where it is going to."

Anyone who uses a van or other vehicle to transport scrap metal requires a Waste Carriers Licence anyone found to be in breach of the law will be fined £200. West Mercia Constabulary also launched a scheme called Project Livewire last year to tackle the growing crime.

Det Con Markovics, added: "We want the public to call us with information if they see metal being stolen or being sold in suspicious circumstances."

Anyone with information about metal thefts can call police on 08457 444 888 or anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.