British Bases in Cyprus Warn of Rising Copper Thefts

The police of the British Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) in Cyprus have issued a warning to farm, home, and business owners, urging them to secure their properties due to a recent increase in thefts.

From April to August this year, 42 incidents were reported, with copper being the primary target for thieves.

According to the police, the current value of copper, estimated at around €6,500 per ton, has made it an attractive target for thieves who sell it as scrap metal. Most of the thefts involve copper wires and equipment containing this material.

"We have seen a rise in the theft of copper wires, tools, and any other equipment containing this material, so people need to be vigilant and protect their property," the police stated.

Farm owners are particularly vulnerable, as they often store large amounts of tools and machinery in rural areas where thieves can move about unnoticed in the dark.

"Thieves are targeting anything they can find: we've witnessed the theft of solar panels, car batteries, boilers, and generators because they all have value," the police added.

The SBA police conduct regular patrols, but their work is complicated by the vast rural areas around Dhekelia. As a result, they have called on local residents to assist in catching the thieves.