B.C.’s tough anti-metal theft law receiving praise

Metal theft is down thanks to new provincial laws introduced last summer.

The laws make it more difficult for thieves to sell stolen copper to scrap yards because they must now show identification.

The changes have resulted in fewer telephone and hydro service outages.

Scrap metal prices remain high, and it is still a hot commodity despite new legislation and a crackdown on unscrupulous buyers and sellers of stolen metal.

“Too much of thieving going on and it gives good guys like me a bad name in this industry,” says Surrey professional scrap metal recycler Herman Honing. 

Metal theft has been a huge problem.

It’s been the subject of undercover stings with gates, cemetery plaques, city signs, Hydro and Telus property, all being recovered at scrap yards.

Some cities introduced bylaws. Then in July, the province introduced tough new metal theft legislation.

“Recyclers consistently turn away shady characters. Somebody keeps buying. That has to stop,” says Justice Minister Shirley Bond.

The new legislation means no more walk-up sales, vehicle license plates must be recorded, only cheques are to be issued for anything over 50 dollars, and everyone must produce their driver’s license.

Today utilities like BC Hydro and Telus are praising the effects of the legislation.

Thefts are way down.

Telus at one time saw almost one theft a day, costing them 16 million dollars.

From January to June, they recorded 241 thefts, but from July to December, since the new legislation came into effect, that number has dropped to 52.

“These are common sense measures that make it difficult for bad apples in the scrap industry to continuingly buying stolen material,” says Shawn Hall with Telus. “That makes it difficult for the thieves to unload their material, and if they can’t unload it, they won’t steal it in the first place.”

Though there is still work to do, the changes seem to be getting praise from almost everyone.

“Things have slowed down, I think thefts of scrap metal have slowed down tremendously,” says Honing. “You can make a good living, a good honest living, so the industry is good.”