Copper wire thefts surge in downtown London with salvage yards told to be on alert

London police are urging downtown residents, businesses and property owners to be on alert amid an uptick in copper wire thefts in the core over the last several months.

At least 23 incidents of copper wire theft have been reported to police since November, with 21 reports occurring in the downtown, police said Monday in a joint statement with London Hydro and city hall.

"We've seen the number of incidents start to tick up in terms of copper theft from live installations," said Ysni Semsedini, the CEO of London Hydro.

He specified that thieves are primarily targeting the underground network, and on high voltage infrastructure, usually stealing in the overnight hours between two to five in the morning.

"For us, that poses a huge safety risk, both for the people who are stealing the copper and then also for our employees who are having to go in and try to fix the system that's been tampered with."

Londoners are being asked to keep an eye out for suspicious activity. Police say that might include people entering restricted areas at odd hours, unmarked vehicles parked near hydro installations and in other unusual spots, and people with wire cutters, crowbars, battery tools, and other equipment.

No arrests have been made in the incidents at the centre of Monday's joint statement, said Det. Insp. Sean Travis.

"We have had several reports of copper theft, whether it be wire or plumbing. It does involve all areas of the city," he said.

"Any site involved with active hydro is absolutely dangerous and a life-threatening situation to attempt to steal. So we definitely warn against anyone attempting that."

He said the city has been working with local salvage yards about reporting requirements for selling salvageable metals. "You're expected to ID yourself so that the items can be traced," Travis said.

Salvage yards have to verify a seller's identity using two pieces of valid, current government-issued ID, including one with a photograph. They're also required to report daily to police when products like copper are received.

Orest Katolyk, London's director of municipal compliance, said in a statement that recent inspections of salvage yards found no violations related to ID requirements. 

"This month, a joint education blitz with London Hydro reinforced salvage yard requirements, including the daily reporting of copper sales to London police," he said.

Charlie Gelinas said his longtime recycling business, Specialized Recycling Inc., was among those visited by city officials. He said he's always required ID from people selling to him, and regularly turns away sellers who don't produce any.