Copper theft in Schalksmühle: Police are looking for witnesses to the container castle!

Copper theft in Schalksmühle: Police are looking for witnesses to the container castle!

In the small town of Schalksmühle, the police have been investigating since Monday morning. Between Friday afternoon and Monday morning, a container was broken into and valuable copper cables were stolen from it. How Express Reportedly, the padlock had to be overcome by force to get to the loot. For the police, this is not an isolated case, as the theft of non-ferrous metals, especially copper, is increasing both in Cologne and nationwide.

The perpetrators' approach suggests a structured approach, as well WDR informed. In Bochum, for example, large amounts of copper were also stolen. According to the federal police, there are usually several perpetrators who act together and have to transport the stolen goods. These thieves often come from Germany or Eastern Europe and use various means to camouflage their actions.

Increasing challenge for the police

The police have already launched an appeal for possible witnesses. Anyone who made any suspicious observations during the period mentioned should come forward. Such thefts not only impact security locally, but also contribute to a nationwide problem. There were loud noises in Germany DW In 2022, damages of around 6.6 million euros from copper theft were recorded, which further underlines the importance of this issue.

Copper is considered very popular, especially for the production of electrical devices and in connection with e-mobility. The future demand for copper is estimated to increase massively, which also explains the motivation of the thieves. This trend even has an impact on Deutsche Bahn, where 2,644 trains have already been affected by copper theft and delays of over 700 hours have occurred.

Protective measures are increasing

The pressure on the perpetrators does not only come from police investigations. The industry itself has also reacted. Scrap metal dealers are now trained to recognize stolen parts. Safety precautions such as the use of alternative materials and technical protection of systems have long been implemented in the industry. In many cases these measures are successful, as Deutsche Bahn has recorded a decline in metal thefts.

Nevertheless, the problem of stolen metals remains highly topical. Innovative approaches, such as using artificial DNA to identify perpetrators, are just one aspect of combating this crime.

The situation continues to require increased vigilance. Anyone who witnesses theft should quickly dial 110 to inform the federal police. It is important to work together to counteract this ever-growing problem and bring the perpetrators to justice.