About 40 vans and lorries have been stopped by police in Wharfedale and Craven in a bid to crack down on the sale of stolen scrap metal.

Officers from the Ilkley Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) joined forces with West Yorkshire Trading Standards, environmental health officers and HM Customs and Excise to mount checkpoints on major routes through villages including Menston, Steeton, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Silsden.

They checked and searched around 40 flat back and transit-type vehicles for stolen goods and also looked at trader’s licences, and said a number of intelligence reports were gained, while one driver was reported for operating without a trader’s licence.

Police said although Wharfedale and Craven does not have particularly big problem with metal theft compared to other areas, they wanted to send a strong message that the issue was on their radar.

And the NPT have also advised Ilkley residents to look out for any unusual flat-back trucks operating in their areas following a recent opportunist theft of garden furniture in the town.

Inspector Sue Sanderson of the NPT, said: “Here in Wharfedale and Craven we want to do all we can to make the area difficult to operate in for those trying to sell stolen scrap metal and we are pleased with the results of Wednesday’s operation.

“Officers gained some very useful intelligence as a result of the stop checks and by working with partners in this way, we have sent a very public message that we are monitoring the area.

“More operations of this kind are planned and we would ask anyone who has information about metal theft in Wharfedale and Craven to contact us on (01274) 475301.”