Copper wire thefts frustrate Alberta utility providers, homebuilders and police [Video]

An increase in the number of copper thefts occurring in Alberta has law enforcement agencies and those impacted by the crimes frustrated and looking for solutions.

According to the telecommunications company Telus, this year it has seen a 58-per cent increase from last year in terms of copper thefts affecting its operations across Alberta. In Edmonton, the company said it has seen a 238-per cent increase in the thefts.

“It’s not just something happening here in Edmonton, or Alberta or Canada,” explained Brian Lakey, the vice-president of reliability of Telus’ Service Reliability Centre of Excellence. He also serves as the co-chair of the Canadian Telecom Resiliency Work Group. “The reason it’s happening is because copper is a valuable commodity. This is something that’s happening globally.

Bell Canada says since January 2022 it has experienced more than 1,500 security incidents to its network, with copper theft accounting for 87 per cent of incidents.

Gary Hoeft …