As part of our efforts to fight back against a wave of cable theft, particularly of street light cabling, we have launched a billboard campaign highlighting the heavy prison sentence carried if found guilty of metal theft.
The billboards are being erected at metal theft hotspots around the metro, carrying the clear message that anyone caught in the act will face a lengthy prison sentence.
Last year, a 12-year prison sentence was handed to a metal thief following their arrest by the City Law Enforcement’s Metals Theft Unit, also known as the Copperheads.
During the nine months between July 2023 and March 2024, City policing operations recovered over 1 700 kilograms of stolen metal, including over 53 000 metres of stolen cabling. The Copperheads also made 115 arrests, impounded 10 vehicles, issued over 2 380 fines, and conducted over 1 700 scrapyard inspections over this period.
We are expanding our patrols, rewarding residents for helping us and using technology such as the City’s new Eye-in-the-sky surveillance system to turn up the heat on metal thieves.
Help us bust metal thieves
Call our 24-hour toll-free tip-off line on 0800 110 077 to alert us of any suspicious activity. Anonymous tip-offs are also welcome.
Rewards are on offer for information leading to the arrest and conviction of metal thieves.