The SA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) on Thursday called for a specialised copper theft unit, following three consecutive months of theft increases.<\/p>\n
“Although the SAPS have done excellent work with practical legislative initiatives to curb copper theft thus far, this project needs to move forward by way of introducing a specialised copper theft police unit,” the chamber said.<\/p>\n
The value of copper stolen increased to R15.4 million in May, according to Sacci’s copper theft barometer released on Thursday.<\/p>\n
It was R12.5 million in April and R11 million in March.<\/p>\n
“The May figure is 71.1 percent higher than a year ago and the third consecutive monthly increase.”<\/p>\n
“Recent incidents of copper theft that resulted in large-scale property damage and a variety of economic costs together with the upward trend in the barometer suggests that urgent policy response is required.”<\/p>\n
The volume of copper stolen increased to 214 metric tons in May from 176 metric tons in April, and 153 metric tons in March.<\/p>\n
The outlook for copper theft levels for 2014 was troubling, especially in view of recent high-profile incidents of copper theft that resulted in large-scale power outages and severe injuries, Sacci said.<\/p>\n