Suche
Mein Konto
Copper thieves strike again: major robbery discovered in the Lennetal!
Unknown perpetrators stole copper cables in Hagen. The criminal police are investigating. Witness information is welcome.
Copper thieves strike again: major robbery discovered in the Lennetal!
Unknown perpetrators struck in Hagen on the night of Thursday, June 19, 2025 and stole copper cables from a company premises in the Lennetal. According to a report by Express At around 12:50 a.m., the burglars gained access through a gate to the premises of a raw materials company on Tiegelstrasse. There they took cables that were stored in front of a building and stowed them in backpacks they were carrying before they left in an unknown direction.
A security service noticed the incident and immediately alerted the Hagen police. Despite a quick search in the area, no suspects could be apprehended. The exact number of cables stolen remains unclear to date. The criminal police have taken over the investigation and are asking witnesses to call 02331 986 2066.
Copper thefts are increasing at an alarming rate
The crime in Hagen is not an isolated case; The theft of copper and other non-ferrous metals is steadily increasing in Germany. This is not just a local problem, but a nationwide phenomenon, like DW reported. In 2022, Deutsche Bahn suffered damages of around 6.6 million euros due to copper theft. More than 2,600 trains were affected, resulting in over 700 hours of delays. These thefts not only disrupt supply chains, but also leave commuters and travelers unhappy.
Copper is particularly popular due to its excellent electrical conductivity, which makes it very popular for electrical devices and the increasing number of electric cars. Demand will increase massively in the coming years, especially as a result of the energy transition and the expansion of renewable energies. Up to nine tons of copper are required per megawatt of wind energy!
High amounts of damage caused by organized crime
The latest incident in Hagen is reminiscent of another brazen theft that occurred in Schwandorf at the beginning of March this year. How Upper Palatinate echo According to reports, three cable drums with a total of 1.5 kilometers of copper cable were stolen, with the value of the loot amounting to almost 500,000 euros. The perpetrators broke into the company premises by force and cut the cables into manageable pieces, which took several hours. It is assumed that they used a truck to transport the cable drums.
The Amberg Criminal Police Inspectorate has also started investigations and is looking for witnesses who may have seen suspicious people or vehicles near the crime scene.
Copper theft is increasingly perceived as a well-organized crime. There are currently no effective protection measures against thieves. It remains to be hoped that the investigations in Hagen and other affected regions can lead to an improvement in the situation. Until then, the security services and the police are called upon to put a stop to such criminal activities.