The Alberta RCMP has launched a community initiative in response to concerns about ongoing copper wire theft in eastern Alberta.
Work with industry partners will determine areas being targeted and develop strategies to investigate, identify, and arrest individuals causing the most harm related to copper wire and precious metal thefts.
While thefts have been rising in other areas of Alberta, it has been a slightly different story in Rocky View County. According to Airdrie RCMP, copper wire thefts haven’t been a growing issue, with 15 thefts reported so far this year. In the Airdrie and Rocky View County area, 13 copper thefts were reported in 2020, 20 in 2021, 17 in 2022, 24 in 2023, and 15 so far in 2024.
When looking at other thefts of precious metals, catalytic converters were targeted several years ago due to containing small amounts of platinum, palladium and rhodium. Catalytic converters control emissions from a vehicle.
Reports showed that with the drop in value of these metals in 2024, so did the thefts of catalytic converters. So far in 2024, Airdrie RCMP reported only one catalytic converter theft in the Airdrie and rural area.
In 2020, there were 24 catalytic converter thefts reported in Airdrie and the surrounding rural area, compared to 99 thefts in 2021, 165 in 2022, and 68 in 2023.
How to prevent theft
According to Alberta RCMP, precious metals like copper are used in a variety of projects ranging from large scale industrial sites like power plants, cellphone towers, and pipelines, to smaller uses like the wiring in homes.
Copper wire and other precious metals can be difficult to track making them ideal targets for criminals to steal. The theft of copper wire can have a large impact on the public, whether it’s having spare wire stolen from personal property or damage caused to vital infrastructure across the province, stated RCMP.
While the Airdrie and rural area hasn’t seen the same jump in copper thefts, losses from copper wire theft across the province in the past year, including property damage, was in excess of $10 million.
Alberta RCMP stated there are a variety of things the public and companies can do to help reduce the likelihood of copper wire theft, including installing an alarm system with remote monitoring of surveillance cameras, ensuring entrances and exits of properties have proper lighting and clearly visible surveillance cameras, laser engraving precious metals to be easily identifiable, securing valuables, investing in fencing, and reporting suspicious persons. For metal purchasers, Alberta RCMP said to be cautious about purchasing materials from unknown or suspicious sellers.
“The reality of the situation is, because copper wire is so common and can be almost impossible to identify if it isn’t laser engraved, catching and charging copper wire thieves can be very difficult,” said Staff Sergeant John Pike District Advisory non-commissioned officer of the RCMP Eastern Alberta District. “There are thousands of sites using copper wire, and we can’t be at all of them. That’s why it’s so important for everyone to do their part whether it's securing your property, reporting suspicious activity, or questioning sellers.”
Call the local RCMP detachment about any crimes. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play.
