Metal Theft Prevention for Home and Business
I am On Your Side®
_________________________________________________________________________
Steve Uhlman | Sponsor Relations Sales Manager
Nationwide Insurance
614-332-4945
[email protected]
Metal theft
is one of the
fastest growing
crimes in the
country. Copper,
aluminum, nickel,
stainless steel
and scrap iron
have become the
desired target of
thieves looking
to make a quick
buck. An increase
in demand for
these metals from
Asian markets
such as China and
India has created a
thriving international scrap trade, resulting in much
higher prices.
driving a getaway truck and the other grabbing
the kegs. A few resourceful criminals have used
Google Earth to identify large amounts of metal
(such as spools of wire) stored outdoors.
Preventing metal theft
To combat metal theft, more and more states
and municipalities have passed laws tightening the
restrictions on scrap dealers. In some instances,
purchases of scrap metal are required to be held
in reserve for a week or more before being resold
in case they have been stolen. In other instances,
states require dealers to record the seller’s name,
address and driver’s license.
The best defense is to prevent metal theft at the
source. Consider these measures to reduce your
risk:
• Install a security camera with a video recorder
and keep recordings for a sufficient period.
• Secure all equipment and scrap metals in
Of particular concern is copper, which is found
locked buildings or in well-lighted areas
in gutters, flashings, downspouts, water lines and
secured by fencing. Better yet, use a
electrical wiring – all of which can be quickly
perimeter security system with contact
stripped from vacant buildings, industrial facilities,
alarms or motion detectors, or install a
commercial buildings and construction sites. Air
6-foot perimeter fence with barbed wire at
conditioning units are especially attractive, and are
the top (as allowed by local regulations) that
often tampered with or stolen for their copper coils
has locked gates.
and pipes that connect to HVAC systems. The metal
• Post “No Trespassing” placards or signs
is then sold to recycling companies and scrap yards
indicating the presence of a surveillance or
for a nice profit.
security system.
• Remove access to buildings and roofs, such as
Wily thieves use a variety of methods to
trees, ladders, scaffolding, dumpsters and
locate and steal metals. Some pose as renovation
accumulated materials such as pallet piles.
contractors while stripping copper from vacant
homes. Others use a buddy method for stealing
see Theft, page 12
empty, stainless steel beer kegs, with one person
8 West Virginia Farm Bureau News