Copper Theft

The cost of Copper is on the rise again. In November 2016 the price rose sharply - a 20% gain in less than a month as Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton both promised increased spending on big infrastructure projects. As a result, copper now stands at  around $5,500 per tonne - the highest it has been in over two years.

Copper Theft: Demand of Copper remains high 

Even at just under $2 a pound, copper is a fantastically attractive metal to steal. It is often left out in the open on railways and around substations just asking to be stolen. In drumb format, it is easy to move despite copper's relative weight.

We recommend a number of things to combat copper theft:

1) Reduce the resale value of the stolen copper - by painting the lead with SelectaDNA Grease or spraying it with SelectaDNA Trace you suddenly make the copper hot property for Police - thieves and scrap metal merchants are less willing to handle it and its value on the open market drops. The copper glows under UV light and Police routinely scan for SelectaDNA.

2) Increase the risk of being caught with stolen copper - if a suspect is stopped and scanned for SelectaDNA Grease or SelectaDNA Trace, Police have evidence on the spot to detain, question and ultimately convict the suspect. Because the DNA markers we use are unique, each code can be traced back to an electical substation or pice of railway line for evidential purposes.

SelectaDNA Trace: The International Solution to combat Copper Theft

Electricity companies, telecoms companies and railways can protect all their copper quickly and easily with SelectaDNA Trace which comes in a number of formats including aerosols. Vivid orange warning signs telling criminals to stay away because everything is DNA marked, lets criminals know that they are taking a big risk touching the copper.

SelectaDNA Grease comes in 50ml, 100ml, 200ml and 500ml sized pots. Aerosols are available for larger customers who are suffering significant levels of copper theft and copper wire theft.