A spate of copper thefts in Pinjarra is concerning police who are seeking information on the crooks behind the costly act.
Pinjarra Police Senior Sergeant Ian Francis said copper cabling, wire and pipes was being stolen from industrial sites for its expensive street value.
“It is worth hundreds and thousands of dollars,” he said.
”There’s a market for recycled copper so people are stealing it from construction and industrial sites around the area.
“They take hundreds of metres of laid cable.”
Senior Sergeant Francis asked the public to notify police if they see large industrial vehicles in rural or isolated locations.
There’s a market for recycled copper so people are stealing it from construction and industrial sites around the area.
- Pinjarra Police Senior Sergeant Ian Francis
“We’re not getting a lot of information coming in on these activities,” he said.
“We want people to err on the side of caution and to let us know.
“If it turns out to be a worker it doesn’t matter, we can write it off, but it’s better to let us know so we can investigate.”
He said to keep a lookout for trucks with a flat bed or large vehicles capable of carrying substantial amounts of stolen items.
We’re not getting a lot of information coming in on these activities.
- Pinjarra Police Senior Sergeant Ian Francis
“Please let us know straight away,” Senior Sergeant Francis said.
“Take a picture or note the registration number if you can do so without putting yourself in a dangerous situation,” he said.
An Alcoa spokeswoman said the company had not had an issue with copper theft for more than six months.
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 if you have information.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
