Copper thieves hit in Plauen: 100,000 euros damage!

In Plauen, a considerable copper theft was committed in two vacant apartment buildings. The acts happened in the period from December 18 to January 3. The perpetrators violently penetrated the buildings and stolen cables and pipes made of copper and electrical cable. The estimated theft damage amounts to around 10,000 euros, while the property damage is estimated at around 90,000 euros. The police have started the investigation and are looking for information on the crime, the perpetrators and the whereabouts of the stolen goods. The crime scene is located in the northern area of ​​Bergstrasse, and the police from Plauen can be reached on 03741 140, as the Freie Presse reported.

The increasing thefts of non -ferrous metals are a common problem in Germany. According to information from the German Welle, copper theft caused around 6.6 million euros in 2022, and this year 2644 trains were already affected, which led to more than 700 hours of train delays. The thefts affect the punctual supply of companies that rely on raw materials. The Hamburg copper manufacturer Aurubis reported damage in the three -digit million range through theft and fraud. Copper, which is very popular due to its electrical conductivity, is becoming increasingly important by thieves, especially on construction sites and on private buildings.

growing problem of copper theft

The demand for copper will continue to increase due to growth in emerging countries such as China and India. Joachim Berlenbach, CEO of Eri AG, predicts a massive increase in future copper requirements. For wind turbines, between five and nine tons of copper are required per megawatts. These developments are in the context of an increasing difficulty to find new copper deposits, while existing deposits are exposed to geopolitical risks.

Ralf Schmitz, General Manager of the VDM, reported that metal thieves often have difficulty selling the stolen metal in Germany, which is why the prey may be sold abroad. The inadequate control system of customs contributes to the problem. In addition, there is currently no replacement for copper cables, which further favors the thefts, as the German wave notes.