Thirty-eight scrap metal or wire thefts were reported in the City of Cambridge between Feb. 4 and May 30. “These incidents have primarily occurred overnight and on weekends in industrial and construction areas across Cambridge, particularly in the north end and Galt areas,” Waterloo Regional Police said in a media release. The thieves tend to target construction sites, metal recycling businesses, power equipment stores, commercial properties and homes that are being renovated. Police said they made off with copper wiring, scrap metal, tools and wiring from heating and cooling systems. “In several incidents, suspects have also targeted telecommunications infrastructure, cutting wire from Bell lines at multiple locations, resulting in estimated losses and damages in the hundreds of thousands of dollars,” they wrote. “Investigations indicate suspects are using a variety of methods to gain access, including entering fenced compounds, cutting locks on sea cans, prying [open] doors and windows, and even damaging structures to create entry points. Once inside, suspects often remove wire and metal materials quickly due to their resale value and ease of transport.” Police described many of these thefts as “opportunistic” and said the items were left unsecured and plainly visible to the public. ‘Hidden cost’ of doing business Councillor Helen Shwery recently spoke out about metal and wire thefts, calling it the “hidden cost” of doing business in Cambridge. She made the comments in response to a photo showing piles of stripped wires, discarded extension cords and cables in a wooded area of the city. “I’ve seen the piles on Beaverdale Road under the overpass there in the summer,” Shwery said, adding, “Enough is enough.” Community problem Similar thefts have also been reported across the province, including Guelph and Brant County. Brantford said more than 443 incidents were reported between 2019 and 2023. They also told CTV News in May that, over the last two years, these crimes have caused nearly $1 million in property damage. To combat the problem, Brantford passed a bylaw in 2024 prohibiting scrap yards from purchasing specific items, including utility wires, brass or bronze fittings or valves, and metal fixtures from cemeteries. Business owners were also calling for action. “We’ve had businesses tell us that they’re experiencing over $100,000 in damages,” David Prang, CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Brantford-Brant, told CTV News on May 21. “Whether it’s damage to equipment or security costs afterwards or multiple thefts, being unable to get insurance afterwards – those create some issues.” The city has also asked the province to create a framework to prevent thieves from taking their ill-gotten goods to a different municipality. New initiative Waterloo Regional Police launched a new initiative on Wednesday to prevent scrap metal and wire thefts. “Officers will be conducting proactive patrols and targeted enforcement in identified problem areas,” they wrote in a media release. “They will also be visiting businesses, construction sites and industrial locations to share information about current trends and provide practical crime prevention advice.” That advice includes securing materials in locked buildings or fenced compounds, keeping them out of public view, installing video surveillance systems, and conducting regular inventory checks. “Timely reporting remains critical,” they said. “Police are urging the public and business owners to report suspicious activity and thefts as soon as possible, as surveillance footage and witness information can assist investigations and support enforcement efforts.” The initiative runs from June 17 to July 8.
