SCRAPYARDS across the Tendring district have been praised by the police for helping to tackle metal theft.

Essex Police have been working with Tendring Council to inspect scrapyards and put an end to cash being paid for scrap metal.

Licensing officers from Tendring Council have teamed up for the initiative, which was launched following the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act in December 2013.

The new law, which was specifically designed to tackle scrap metal theft, includes strict controls on verifying the identity of people buying and collecting scrap metal and cars.

The joint inspections saw council licensing officers and police check metal and cars in scrapyards, as well as paperwork, to make sure that sites complied with the new law.