Campaign launched to stop copper theft
August 14, 2008 02:44pm
Article from: AAP
GOVERNMENTS and electricity providers have launched a national campaign to catch copper thieves, following millions of dollars of losses.
The surging demand for copper in China and India has pushed the price of scrap copper to $8000 per tonne in Australia, leading to widespread theft, particularly from electricity, telecommunications and rail networks in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory.
Federal Home Affairs Minister Bob Debus said the problem was also being experienced overseas, in countries such as the United Kingdom and South Africa, because world copper prices had more than doubled since 2004.
"We're asking for the public's help because, as well as the cost to business, it's the public who are affected by disruptions to services when people steal copper in this manner," Mr Debus said.
In May this year, thieves stole 4.2 kilometres of power lines after cutting down 16 power poles in the Blue Mountains of NSW.
Mr Debus said customs officers were working with Victorian police on an investigation that had uncovered 30 tonnes of stolen copper, valued at $3 million, bound for Asia's black market.
The new campaign, supported by state governments as well as the Commonwealth, will feature national television advertising, signage and stickers.
Mr Debus said the money trail of copper thieves could be followed without making it a legal requirement for copper trading to use credit transactions.
"There are arrangements through the organisation Austrac to follow money trails once you know what the money is being used for," he said.
"I don't think we need legislation. We just need authorities to pay attention and in particular we need the public to help the police identify theft at the time when it's actually taking place."
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,24180305-29277,00.html
