A dog was deployed to sniff for stolen metal as part of a Metropolitan Police campaign co-ordinated with forces across the UK to target metal thieves.
Jazz, pictured at Blackwall, is the first detection dog in the world to be trained to sniff out stolen metal marked with SelectaDNA. Complementing existing police search procedures, Jazz touches the metal with her nose identifying the target scent, so officers can investigate further.
She was used as part of Operation Ferrous, where officers did roadside checks across London on legality of load and vehicle safety. They also visited scrap metal dealers and motor salvage operators with the aim of disrupting the unlicensed trading of catalytic converters.
Jazz and her trainer Mick Swindells helped police search vehicles that had been stopped under suspicion of carrying metal or other stolen goods. Arrests were made during the operation and vehicles seized. Overall there has been 29 per cent reduction in reported metal theft in London thanks to police operational activity, new legislation and a ban on cash payments for the receipt of scrap metal, to ensure there is a cheque or bank transfer audit trail.
Chief Superintendent Sultan Taylor, Safer Transport Command said: “The Met together with its UK policing partners is driving home the message to metal thieves and noncompliant scrap dealers that metal theft and unlawful metal dealing will not be tolerated. Metal theft is a huge, cross-industry problem which is not only has a massive impact on the economy, but also communities across the nation.”
Visit: www.selectadna.co.uk.
