"Matty F" wrote in message
...
On Oct 15, 1:20 pm, "~misfit~" wrote:

The council say that they're having major problems with metal of all
kinds
being stolen and suspect an organised gang of metal thieves, probably
stealing to order.

I suspect the only way to catch them is to have a sting operation
where tempting metal objects are on display behind a chainlink fence,
and have video cameras to record rego numbers etc. Maybe a tracking
device inside a battered copper tank.

Builders nearby have had their supply wire stolen and the wiring
chopped out of an unfinished house. I've installed video cameras for
them and have caught two vehicles parked outside in the last week with
the occupants snooping around. Now that lots of copper downpipes are
on the house, I give it less than a week before they are stolen. I'm
off to install sensor lights there right now. Isn't it odd that people
don't believe the video surveillance warning signs.

"Copper" downpipes? I read thieves lifted disused rail lines - a lot of
steel in them. That takes heavy lifting and a big truck. No doubt
professionals.

Sites use plastic pipes on new builds, just because thieves don't touch it.