Scrapyard owner in Yate hits out at thefts (From Gazette Series)

Scrapyard owner in Yate hits out at thefts

9:30am Monday 29th June 2009 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

THE owner of a scrapyard in Yate says he is ‘fed up’ with teenage motorists helping themselves to parts.

In recent months, hundreds of car parts have been stolen from Yate Car Breakers, on Dean Road, leaving the firm out of pocket and down on stock.

Business owner Phil Blewett told the Gazette: "We have had headlights and brakelights stolen and even our tools have been taken so we cannot do our jobs.

"We do get criminal gangs targeting us from time to time but mainly it is young kids who want parts for their cars but do not want to buy them.

"They come looking for certain things and just to see what is about."

Mr Blewett, who has worked at the scrapyard for 20 years, said he has had enough of the dawn thefts.

"It is like being permanently on call," he said. "I can’t go out and have a drink because I might be called to the scrapyard in the early hours of the morning after a break-in.

"It can get you down but you have to learn to live with it."

Up to 200 scrap cars are kept in the fenced yard at any one time.

Mr Blewett, from Mangotsfield, said the company had considered tightening security but there was no guarantee it would stop the burglaries.

"It does cost the business when you add it all up," he said. "Even when it is parts that are stolen, we don’t have to replace them but we don’t have them to sell.

"But a metal fence would cost about £50,000 and even then thieves would just cut through it."

Police have stepped up patrols in the area and are appealing for witnesses, or anyone who believes they have information which can help, to come forward.

Sgt Adrian Fallows said: "By the very nature of what they do, the firm find it very difficult to lock up the cars and secure them.

"It is an ongoing problem as it is an easy target but we will be monitoring the area and conducting high profile patrols.

"If anyone is seen acting suspiciously in the area they must expect to be stopped and searched."

To report a theft contact police on 0845 456 7000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

* Five people were arrested on suspicion of theft when police were called to Yate Car Breakers on June 8. A 25-year-old woman from Bradley Stoke and a 52-year-old woman from Bishopston were released without charge but were charged with drug offences. Three men, aged 18, 22 and 26 and all from Bishopston, have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.