Scrap metal prices attract crims

Higher scrap metal prices have made unsecured scrap metal more desirable to thieves, a Wanganui scrap metal dealer said yesterday.
That had been an "unfortunate side effect," Daniel Jackson, of Rivercity Scrap Metals, said from his firm's base at 455 Heads Rd.
He said scrap metal prices had reached record levels a couple of weeks ago but were now trending down slightly.
"We are still playing nearly double for most copper-based scrap than we were paying at Christmas," Mr Jackson said. "Other metals have increased as well.
"Clean copper-based products have increased the most ? including such things as copper hot water cylinder inners, wiring and plumbing pipe, and other products like car radiators and brass fittings.
"We were paying as high as $8.10 for clean copper a fortnight ago.
"The prices have since dipped and we are now paying better than $7.10 a kilo.
"Prices are being driven by the international demand and fuelled by the rapid growth of new markets like China and India competing for product.
"The higher prices have had the unfortunate side effect of making unsecured scrap more desirable to thieves.
"The Second Hand Dealers' Act, which governs licensed scrap metal dealers, requires us to sight and record recognised photographic identification from sellers of scrap metal.
"We regularly co-operate with police in their inquiries into scrap metal thefts."