Police in Alberta are taking action to prevent copper thefts.
Alberta RCMP’s Eastern and Central District Crime Reduction Units, the K Division Criminal Analysis Section and the Community Safety and Wellbeing Branch will be working with community members to identify which areas are most targeted for copper thefts.
“The theft of copper wire can have a large impact on the public, whether it’s having spare wire stolen from your personal property or damage caused to vital infrastructure across the province,” the RCMP said in a press release.
Across Canada, metal-related thefts have been increasing.
Between 2018 and 2022, the number of these kinds of incidents, which include thefts of metals like copper wire and manhole covers, increased from 3,354 to 5,240.
The price of copper wire also increased during that time.