POLICE have been carrying out visits to scrap metal dealers in south Wiltshire as part of work to tackle metal thefts.

Multi-agency teams, which included representatives from the police, Wiltshire Council and the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit's Disruption Team, visited three licensed scrap metal dealers in the area to check they were "legitimate and maintaining accurate records".

Police say all the dealers were found to be "compliant".

PC Megan Peroni, from Wiltshire South Community Policing Team, has been working with the area’s community co-ordinators to tackle metal thefts, including lead thefts from churches.

She said: “We know that our communities, particularly our local churches, are concerned about metal thefts and we hope this shows some of the proactive work we can do to help.

“These multi-agency visits are a great way to build relationships with scrap metal dealers, check they are acting within the law, and gain information about potential crimes being committed in the area.

“We will continue to work with our colleagues from other agencies to ensure the dealers in this area are compliant with the relevant legislation and know how to report any concerns they may have about people trying to sell suspicious scrap metal.”

This work was part of Operation Apollo, which is Wiltshire Police's rural crime team's response to heritage crime - the offences which harm heritage assets and their settings such as churches.

In recent months, four 10ft lead pipes were stolen from the walls of Salisbury Cathedral

In August, around £40,000 worth of lead was stolen from The Rectory, Zeals.

Other churches affected by lead thefts have included Malmesbury Abbey, Christ Church in Warminster and James Church in Bratton.

Anyone with information or intelligence about metal theft should contact police via 101, or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.