The Impacts
Stolen copper. Stalled trains. Disrupted lives.
Copper Theft: It’s more than metal is our campaign with Victoria Police. Together, we’re calling on Victorians to help stop copper theft and protect the services we all rely on. Thieves strip copper cables from rail lines, pits and other infrastructure across the city.
Across the state, these thefts are on the rise, and a single incident can affect thousands of people. For example, when thieves take copper from the train network, commuters, students and workers face delays and cancellations on their way to school or work. These crimes also hit businesses, essential services and critical infrastructure.
That’s where you come in. By learning the signs and reporting suspicious activity, you can help reduce copper theft and support police investigations.
THIEVES OFTEN TRY TO LOOK LIKE LEGITIMATE WORKERS, SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR:
Signs of copper theft to look out for⚡️
Exposed wires, or a pit lid that someone has moved and not put back.
Work sites that don’t look professional, where workers aren’t wearing safety gear or using proper equipment.
A staged “broken-down car” in daylight, used to distract passers-by while others remove pit lids.
Night-time activity around pits in poorly lit areas, often by people on bicycles for quick access and a fast getaway.
Anyone in hi-vis clothing lifting pit lids without proper equipment.
THIEVES OFTEN TRY TO LOOK LIKE LEGITIMATE WORKERS, SO KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR:
Signs of copper theft to look out for⚡️
Exposed wires, or a pit lid that someone has moved and not put back.
Work sites that don’t look professional, where workers aren’t wearing safety gear or using proper equipment.
A staged “broken-down car” in daylight, used to distract passers-by while others remove pit lids.
Night-time activity around pits in poorly lit areas, often by people on bicycles for quick access and a fast getaway.
Anyone in hi-vis clothing lifting pit lids without proper equipment.
Buying or selling scrap metal?⚡️
The law
Rules apply to everyone who buys
or sells scrap metal.
Copper theft isn't just disruptive. It's a serious public safety risk.
Make sure you're meeting your obligations. Check the scrap metal laws on the Consumer Affairs Victoria website.
LETS GET INFORMED
How copper theft affects Victorians ⚡️
Because copper cables carry high and extra-high voltages, exposed wires can cause serious injury or death. As a result, thieves put their own lives at risk, along with members of the public and the utility workers who repair the damage.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Frequently asked questions
What is copper used for?
Copper delivers electricity to Victorian communities and powers many important services, from public transport and hospitals to traffic lights, phone networks and the internet.
Because it’s so widely used, thieves target copper in many places, including power poles, telecommunication pits, kiosk substations, building sites and train networks.
What are the telltale signs of copper theft?
Look out for:
- a work site that doesn’t look professional
- workers without safety gear or proper equipment
- people accessing power or telecommunication pits at night
Copper thieves also use other common tactics. For example, they may:
- keep stolen copper and tools in storage containers, sometimes left on vacant blocks for short periods
- fake a car breakdown in daylight to distract people while others remove pit lids
- sell second-hand copper on buy-and-sell websites such as Gumtree and Facebook without being a registered second-hand dealer, often asking for cash
How can people report?
You can report anonymously by:
- calling Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000
- submitting a report online at crimestoppersvic.com.au
In an emergency, or if a crime is happening in front of you, call Triple Zero (000). However, don’t put yourself in danger by trying to stop or detain anyone yourself.
What happens to information reported?
Crime Stoppers takes every report seriously. After you make a report, Crime Stoppers prepares it for Victoria Police investigators to follow up.
Your identity stays protected. If you choose to identify yourself or offer further help, Crime Stoppers doesn’t pass those details on with your report. Instead, police must request them separately.
In addition, Crime Stoppers doesn’t store any other identifying details, such as caller ID or IP addresses.
RESOURCES & DOWNLOADS
Copper theft resources
Copper Theft Flyer
Download the copper theft flyer, identify suspicious activity and help protect trains, infrastructure and communities.
Copper Theft Poster
Download the copper theft poster, learn the warning signs and help protect critical infrastructure across Victoria.
HELP SOLVE CRIME
Seen something risky? Tell us.
If you've seen behaviour that could start a copper theft victoria, report it to Crime Stoppers 24/7 — anonymously, online or by phone. You choose how much you share.
Record what you can, only if it's safe to do so
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Add details like time, place and a description
Report online anonymously in minutes with the Crime Stoppers Victoria's online reporting platform. Watch how