Metal theft

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Not to be confused with medal theft.

Metal theft is the theft of metal items on a large scale. These thefts usually increase when worldwide prices for scrap metal rise.

1 In Brunei
2 In Canada
3 In Germany
4 In Japan
5 In Russia
6 In Ukraine
7 In the United Kingdom
8 In the United States
9 See also
10 References
11 External links

[edit] In Brunei

From July to September 2005, a gang of thieves in Brunei dismantled and stole parts from more than 60 power substations in that country, including copper earthing cables and aluminum doors. It is apparently being sold as scrap metal. The thefts are ongoing.

[edit] In Canada

In Quebec, during May 2006, thieves stole sections of copper roofing, gutters and wiring from four Quebec city churches, two being St. Charles de Limoilou and St. Francois d'Assise. The thieves were discovered in action on their third night, whereupon they fled. High copper prices are believed to be the reason for the thefts. Repairs were expected to cost more than $40,000.^[1]

[edit] In Germany

In February 2006, near the German city of Weimar, thieves dismantled and carted away some 5 km (3 miles) of disused rail track. It is estimated that replacing the rails cost nearly 200,000 euros ($241,500 USD). ^[2] ^[3]

[edit] In Japan

In Japan there were 5,700 metal theft reported cases in 2007 in locations as far apart as Shizuoka, Hiroshima and Okinawa^[4]^[5].

[edit] In Russia

A small bridge was stolen in Russia in 2007, when a man chopped up its 5-meter span and hauled it away.^[6]^[7]

[edit] In Ukraine

In Ukraine, statues, wires, sewage hatches, and even a museum-exhibit steam locomotive have been stolen for sale as scrap. In February 2004, thieves in western Ukraine dismantled and stole an 11m long, one-tonne steel bridge that spanned the river Svalyavka.^[8]

[edit] In the United Kingdom

In the UK, the British Metals Recycling Association^[9] is working with authorities such as the Association of Chief Police Officers and the British Transport Police to halt the problem of metal being stolen from its members' sites and to identify stolen materials.

Significant rises in metal theft were observed during 2006-2007 in the UK^[10], especially in North West England, where metal theft is still on the rise as of 2008^[11].

[edit] In the United States

Metal theft is a problem in metro Atlanta, with reports of air conditioning thefts from a few home and commercial sites. In April 2007 there were even reports of mobile phone base station equipment being destroyed at tower sites on the south side. While each theft would net about 200 dollars in copper wire and feedline, each destroys about 100,000 dollars in equipment and repair costs.^{[citation needed]}

Copper wire thefts are also becoming increasingly common in the United States of America. With copper prices at $3.70 a pound as of June 2007, compared to $0.60 a pound in 2002, people are increasingly stealing copper wire from telephone and power company assets. Gangs have been created, a black market for copper wire has emerged, and men even have been killed in power plants while trying to obtain copper wire.^[12]

Significant rises in metal theft were observed in the US during 2007.^[13]