Businesses and municipalities across the UK have become targets for copper theft. Stealing copper pipes and wires is increasing to endemic proportions with the rise in thefts from businesses, power companies, construction sites, railroads, and more.

The dramatic increase in copper theft leads to economic motivation on the part of criminals as the scrap metals get to transform into ready cash. Hence, it is one of the main reasons behind the dramatic increase in copper thefts.

Why People Steal Copper?

A wide collection of building materials have copper, including plumbing, gutters, heating, electrical components, and more. Their costs change frequently, and thieves can easily make a lot of money by selling them.

Due to the increase in the value of scrap copper in the recent past, theft of copper pipes, wire, and tubes is continuously on the rise. Commercial heating and air conditioning units, construction sites, and abandoned buildings are the main targets for these thieves.

Law enforcement interventions aim to make several policies to reduce metal theft in the UK.

Growing Problem Gains Local and National Visibility

Copper theft attains such a high level that a special task force is introduced to fight it. The Metropolitan Police Service executes regular operations to spot and arrest those who are responsible for it.

Moreover, they will work strongly with the scrap yards; to prevent the recycling of theft metal.

UK government also makes it a crime when you are aware that it is a stolen copper and you still purchase it. Further, it permits the prosecution to recover the real cost of the damage to property as they harmfully impact the nearby property value.

The Institute of “Scrap Recycling Industry” is enthusiastically promoting community leaders to fight against copper theft. For their convenience, they also maintain a theft alert system. Their guiding principles include information regarding how to fight and prevent metal theft in the coming time.

How To Protect Your Copper Assets

Copper theft is a very real problem in the current situation. But you can adopt some measurable steps to avoid this mounting problem.

• Paint Copper Black

A simple and economical way to prevent copper theft is to paint them in black color. This result looks like regular plastic tubes, and no one would waste their time to filch it.

• Fence Areas with Copper

An area that contains copper is always a possible target of theft. So fencing to that place may be worth the investment.

• Install an Alarm System

Installation of an alarm system is a great way to deter potential thieves and protect the copper from them. There are several types of alarm systems, and you can pick the one according to your location and type of object which requires protection. For instance, heating and cooling units need alarms that get activated if the unit stops working.

• Security Cameras

Surveillance cameras can assist police in capturing people and incarceration them to prevent future thefts.

Final Words

To minimize copper theft, the administration is taking measurable steps. But to avoid such situations, you can also adopt the above-given solutions.