On May 17 2012 at Reading Magistrates Court, Dunaways Limited - registered office address Suite 3, The Courtyard, 59 Church Street, Staines, Middlesex, TW18 4XS -pleaded guilty to one charge of carrying on a business as a motor salvage operator without first registering with the local authority.

Section 1 of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001 requires those involved in motor salvage i.e. breaking vehicles and selling parts, to register with local authority. Once registered a business is required to keep records and make them available for inspection by police.

During the course of a joint operation, on September 14 2011, involving Thames Valley Police, Wokingham Borough Council Licensing Team and West Berkshire and Wokingham Trading Standards Service, material was recovered from a scrap metal site operated by Dunaways Ltd at Arborfield Cross.

The court heard that the material indicated that the defendant company was operating a motor salvage business, for which it wasn’t registered. The material included bills of sale and advertising leaflets.

Dunaways Ltd was fined £600 by the court and ordered to pay £886.02 costs. A £15 victim surcharge was also applied.

If anyone has concerns about a particular trader or they wish to report suspicious activity they should contact the trading standards helpline on (01635) 519930.