TWELVE tonnes of copper wiring was seized and four people arrested in the biggest police operation against the theft of scrap metal on Merseyside.

The dawn raids yesterday targeted several dockside premises and surrounding areas.

Hundreds of Merseyside police officers along with Greater Manchester Police, British Transport Police, Port of Liverpool Police, rail companies and Scottish Power took part in the clampdown codenamed Operation Element.

The raids came as the Government issued directions on increasing the paper trail of scrap yard trading and creating a more reputable industry.

While previous operations have focused solely on raiding yards Merseyside Police said their aim was now also to target the routes into the yards.

At a similar operation in Manchester an entire train was found dismantled on the back of an HGV.

Traffic enforcement specialists waved down 52 vehicles including HGVs, cars and taxis to perform spot checks.

Thirty six notices were issued to drivers, including fixed-penalty and prohibition orders..

A white transit van aroused suspicion when it stopped suddenly 100 metres from where officers were stationed.

Police questioned the driver who was arrested for driving while disqualified. Another man was arrested for possession of drugs in a similar stop-check.

Officers were joined by representatives from Scottish Power as they used special lights to detect bits of metal marked with Smart Water.

And within 90 minutes officers had also uncovered a warehouse full of palettes with BT cabling, weighing 12 tonnes.