A SCRAP dealer was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of breaking the terms of an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO) handed to him less than a year ago.

The Ealing Times exclusively filmed officers from the Elthorne Safer Neighbourhood team as they swooped on the home of Emanuel "Manny" Bignall in Cambridge Road, Hanwell just after 9am Wednesday.

The team, who were acting on information passed to them by The Ealing Times, searched the home of 69-year-old after making the arrest.

Mr Bignall was handed a 3-year ASBO last December after neighbours complained he was turning the streets around his house into a scrap yard by dumping vehicles and stripped-down household appliances.

The terms of the order prevent him from repairing or dismantling any propelled vehicle in a public place or having in his care or control more than one mechanically propelled vehicle, not lawfully registered to him.

He was also banned from driving for a year after being found guilty of driving without a licence or insurance.

Police seized a Red Mercedes which was parked in the car park of the Red Lion pub opposite Mr Bignall's house, although the vehicle is not registered to him.

A search of his home turned up a number of log books and car keys for various vehicles, although officers were unable to make a thorough search because of the amount of scrap inside the house.

Ealing Council officers have been called in to investigate whether the state of the house breaches health and safety regulations.

On November 1 two transit vans belonging to Mr Bignall, were removed by police from nearby Cambridge Yard.

Sergeant Matthew Brown, of the Elthorne Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Ealing Borough Police will always act on intelligence and information from the general public to enforce conditions of ASBOs.

"The breach of an ASBO will not be tolerated and the community should be reassured that the police are committed to this process and will take prompt action against anyone who does not adhere to an order."

Mr Bignall was bailed pending further inquiries and is set to return to police on Friday, December 14.

If he is found guilty of breaching the order he could face up to five years in prison.