Copper theftNICB warns of growing copper thefts

Published 19 March 2012

A recently released report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) concludes that copper and other metal thefts are on the rise once again in the United States

A recently released report by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) concludes that copper and other metal thefts are on the rise once again in the United States.

Contrary to a preliminary report issued by NICB in 2009, which found metal thefts had leveled off, the latest report suggests the opposite. The report found that from January 2009 to December 2011 metal thefts steadily increased driven primarily by rising prices for basic metals.

In the past several years, copper thefts have become an increasing problem as record prices for the metal have spurred criminals to break into phone lines, electrical substations, and other major industrial sites.

These thefts have proven to be particularly disruptive as wiring is taken from overhead power lines, street lights, railroads, cellphone towers, and tornado warning systems, resulting in telephone outages, blackouts, and other interruptions in service.

In addition, repairing the damage that thieves have left in their wake is a costly endeavor, especially given the current fiscal environment with many cities and states struggling with budget deficits. According to the Department of Energy copper thefts cost more than $1 billion in damages a year.

Last year vandals in California knocked down 300 power poles as they attempted to steal copper wiring from the poles. Meanwhile in December 2010, more than 4,000 homes and businesses in Louisiana lost power after a copper theft at an electricity substation created a system overload, forcing the system to shut down.