REGARDING the article about the law being toughened on metal thefts (The Press, November 15), Julian Sturdy MP says there is potential to consider a cashless system for scrap metal dealers in the future.

This is exactly the woolly-minded attitude that has let things get to the state they are in now, where we have the scum of the earth stealing anything that is not bolted down – and even things which are bolted down, such as memorial plaques.

If Mr Sturdy’s “future” is sometime in the next 20 years, there will be nothing left to steal.

A cashless system is fundamental to solving this crime, along with dealing with the traders who accept obviously stolen property such as cast iron drain covers and plaques with war dead names inscribed on them.

Nearly everyone else in this society works in a cashless system and is traceable regarding tax and welfare payments. So bring it on and get this crime stamped out; and, please, no pussyfooting around.

Bob Waite, Holgate, York.