Who is responsible for prosecuting operators who fail to register?
Both the police and the local authority are able to take action for this offence under Section 14 of Part 1 of the Vehicles (Crime) Act 2001. However, the onus is on both the police and the local authority to prove that the operator in question fits the definition of a motor salvage operator. If there is any question, it is assumed that police experience in getting evidence makes them the lead in such cases. An exception would be Salford where the trading standards enforcement officers have investigative experience and prepare evidence against unregistered operators in conjunction with any police evidence.
