The London Police Service has identified a crime pattern in which copper wire is being stripped from vacated homes listed as “For Saleâ€Â. Since November 2013, 17 break and enters have been reported to police in which unknown person(s) have entered a home and removed copper wiring and copper tubing. The most recent occurred on January 23, 2014 when a home had all copper removed from the basement.
To date, the target area has included homes in the east end of the city bounded by the Thames River to Oxford Street and Adelaide Street to Clarke Road. In the cases where time of offence can be determined, it appears these offences are taking place overnight. In all cases, the homes are vacant.
Citizens are asked to report any suspicious activity in or around vacant homes listed “For Sale†in their neighbourhoods.
This pattern was identified using the new Bair Analytics Inc. ATAC crime mapping and analytical tools recently obtained through a provincial grant.
Members of the public can view crime data in their neighbourhood or sign up for crime alerts through the online interactive crime maps. The link can be found on the London Police Service website at www.police.london.ca . Data is currently accessible for the following offences: Auto Thefts, Break and Enters, Theft from Motor Vehicles, Robberies, and Motor Vehicle Collisions.
The London Police Service continues to investigate these offences. Any person with information on these crimes is asked to call the London Police Service at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). To set-up a Neighbourhood Watch please contact [email protected] or call 519-661-4533.
