Scrap metal thieves targetted

Theft of metal - including copper telco cabling - is becoming a serious problem. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Police and other organisations have joined forces to cut down on scrap metal thefts, particularly copper, in south Auckland.

Police said Vector, Telecom, Watercare Services, Transpower, Housing New Zealand, the Scrap Metal Recycling Association, New Zealand Customs and Inland Revenue, had all joined the initiative after an escalation of the thefts which could put lives at risk.

Inspector Jim Searle from the Counties Manukau police, said thieves were going after earth wires that were part of a safety system for power delivery.

He said they were also stealing underground telecommunication cables that could deprive access to telephones including emergency calls, covers from water delivery pipelines that could compromise water safety, and metal covers which protect underground cabling.

Thefts of hot water cylinders was leading to water damage and exposed wiring in houses and stolen power cables from road lighting systems could put the travelling public at risk.

"Theft of scrap metal, particularly copper, is endangering our communities.

"We also need to target dishonest and negligent purchasers of the stolen metal in order to disrupt the market for the stolen property."

The initiative would see new surveillance technology and better ways of identifying property.

Inland Revenue was detecting tax evasion related to the sale and purchase of scrap metal and customs officers were targeting exporters and purchasers of stolen scrap metal.

Mr Searle said the public should look out for suspicious activity around power cables, transformers and sub-stations outside work hours, and thick, acrid smoke from fires where thieves may be burning off plastic sheathing from copper wire.

He also urged the public to take down registration numbers of suspicious cars.

- NZPA