THEFT of copper piping and outside air conditioning units at residential properties in Meerensee has become a major problem for residents.
According to Richards Bay SAPS communications officer Debbie Ferreira, copper thefts are on the rise and have become a concern for police as several incidents have been reported for the month so far.
Criminals are targeting residential properties and removing any visible copper piping, taps, air conditioning unit and also pool pumps.
For residents and business owners, who have to spend money fixing the resulting problems, this can be a costly exercise.
Ferreira said while crime prevention operations include patrols in the suburb, home owners must try to make their property less of a target for metal thieves by enclosing exposed copper piping where possible.
‘Home owners can also remove tap handles and other copper items overnight or when not in use, as these could be stolen quite easily.
‘There isn’t a quick-fix solution to preventing these pipes from being stolen, because at many residential properties, the copper pipes are fixed to the outside of walls.
‘Residents can check the perimeter walls and fences for holes or weak points of easy entry access and ensure that nothing that could aid a thief in removing the pipes, is left lying around,’ she said.
