Copper wire theft being investigated in Langley, B.C.

Police in Langley, B.C., are appealing to the public for help in identifying whomever is responsible for a damaging copper wire theft earlier this month.

Langley RCMP were called to the 5700 block of Production Way on Feb. 16 after a BC Hydro crew found two power poles chopped downand three attached electrical transformers opened in an apparent copper metal theft.

BC Hydro has estimated the total cost of damage and repairs to be greater than $75,000.

"These incidents are extremely dangerous due to the hazards to the thieves as well as innocent members of the public who may inadvertently come across the electrical wires," said Langley RCMP spokesperson Holly Marks in a statement on Tuesday.

B.C. passed the Metal Dealers and Recyclers Act in July 2012which requires scrap metal dealers to record the identities of people selling them materials, to pay sellers in cheques of $50 or less, and to file daily inventory reports with police in an effort to stop the multi-milliondollar trade in stolen metal.

• Stolen metal law comes into force in B.C.

Utility companies have said the legislation has been effective.

Even so, the City of Surrey decided this month it will become the first city in North America toreplace all copper wire connecting its streetlights witha less valuable alloy. The city says the project could take up to a year and will cost about $9 million.

• Metal theft down 6 months after new B.C. scrap rules
• Surrey spending $9M to replace copper wire in streetlights

Langley RCMP are asking anyone with information about copper wiretheft to call them directly at 604-532-3200. Anyone wishing to leave an anonymous tip can also contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.