Five men charged over raids at Bloxham scrapyard
FIVE men have been charged in connection with illegal activity at a scrap metal merchants in Bloxham.
In May Thames Valley Police executed search warrants at scrap metal yards across the region.
Since then interviews have been carried out and five men have been charged following the execution of the warrant in Bloxham.
Peter Smith, 68, of Bloxham Road, Bloxham has been charged with six counts of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and six counts of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property. He has also been charged with failing to comply with conditions of firearms license, ie having a loaded and improperly stored 0.22 rifle and improperly stored shotgun.
Tommy Smith, 36, also of Bloxham Road, Bloxham, has been charged with, one count of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property; one count of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property; and two counts of possessing prohibited weapons namely an electronic tasar and a canister that discharges a noxious fluid (similar to CS Spray).
Joey Smith, 23, of Milton Road, Adderbury, has been charged with eight counts of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and six counts of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property.
Henry Penfold, 21, of Tadmarton Road, Bloxham, has been charged with three counts of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and two counts of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property.
Matthew Miles, 25, of Main Street, Great Bourton, has been charged with three counts of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and two counts of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property.
All five men have been bailed to appear before Banbury Magistrates’ Court on December 14.
The warrants were executed as part of Operation Symphony which is investigating the handling of stolen goods and money laundering as part of a force-wide drive to reduce metal theft.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Rodger Cartwright said: “These charges are part of a complex investigation that my team has been conducting for many months.
“The theft of metal has an immense negative impact on communities and businesses and was a particular risk to the country during the Olympic Games.
“Thieves will target a range of metals including lead from roofs and utility power cables, resulting in damage to buildings and businesses as well as causing power cuts.
“Be under no apprehension, trading in stolen metal is a very profitable business, netting substantial profits for thieves and handlers and causing other huge economic loss. Thanks to police activity it has become a very risky business for criminals to be in.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Banbury
Saturday 25 May 2013
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 5 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North west
