So ... stealing ain't against the law?

We've all heard about the increase in theft of metal, including the abhorrent theft of war memorials. Now I read at MiniTrue:

Tougher regulations on the scrap metal trade are needed to combat "soaring" theft, including that of plaques from war memorials, say town hall chiefs.

The LGA proposals also include installation of CCTV with automatic number plate recognition in scrapyards, and the requirement that dealers keep a log of sellers' details.

They also want scrapyards to renew their licences every year.

Now, I'm not an expert in these matters, but I was under the impression that theft and receiving stolen goods were both against the law. The notion, therefore, that new regulations are needed to take action against perpetrators is absurd. What is being proposed is using the current situation to increase state interference and increase the protection money rake-off the state imposes on that industry.

All because the state, in its operation of the so-called justice system, has neglected to enforce the law against thievery (perhaps from a guilty conscience). Rather than do its job for once, the state exploits the situation to grab more power and money from the public.

Somebody needs to capture these thieves and their accomplices, give them due process and then hammer them into the ground, and make them pay the cost they have inflicted on the victims of their crimes.

Is that so much to ask? Is the law to be left unenforced in the matter of plundering metal? Are you perhaps too busy arresting children for taking pictures of a parade?