Thieves go mad for metal

Photo / APN

Copper thieves are pulling outrageous new scams as the price of the metal soars - including pinching a hot water cylinder from a police house.

The Herald on Sunday has uncovered a string of other thefts, including:

* Power lines stolen from between the poles.

* Earthing wires taken from an electricity substation.

* Spouting taken from a builder who was up a ladder at the time.

"It is an extremely foolhardy and stupid activity," said Philippa White, spokeswoman for Auckland power network Vector.

Copper costs eight times more than it did in 2000. Hot water cylinders can fetch almost $240.

Artist Ruth Horton, who works with the sought-after commodity, said the metal was an efficient conductor and didn't rust.

She had heard of dairy farmers arriving for morning milking to find their massive urns had been taken overnight.

Other targets of the thieves have included school and church bells.

Senior Sergeant Graeme Hill confirmed a hot water cylinder had been stolen from a police-owned house for Waikato staff.

Colleagues in Christchurch encouraged property managers to hire plumbers to remove cylinders from empty homes.

"I'll be encouraging the same response here," Hill said.