Crime Stoppers Victoria and Victoria Police have joined forces to launch a new statewide campaign aimed at disrupting copper theft, as incidents continue to rise and cause widespread disruptions to essential services and critical infrastructure across Victoria. 

The campaign, Copper Theft: It’s more than metal, encourages Victorians to report information about copper theft offences in the community, while highlighting the significant impact these crimes have on communities, businesses and essential services. 

Recent crime statistics show there has been a dramatic increase in copper theft. Copper theft in Victoria has increased 175 per cent between 2018 and 2026. 

Thieves are increasingly targeting power poles and pits, kiosk substations and other infrastructure containing copper, causing disruptions to essential services that communities rely on, including hospitals, public transport, sporting facilities, communication services and street and traffic lighting. 

Copper thieves are looking to profit from the current market value of copper, which is up to $20 per kg.  However, the damage they cause to critical infrastructure is vast and estimated to cost the Australian economy $100 million each year.  

The new campaign focuses on two key objectives: encouraging the public to report suspicious activity and increasing awareness of the far-reaching impacts of copper theft.  

Crime Stoppers Victoria Chief Executive Officer Stella Smith said copper theft is impacting a growing number of Victorians and disrupting their lives.   

“Copper theft impacts us all,” Ms Smith said. “It results in hundreds of millions of dollars worth of damage and the community pays the cost, both in dollar terms and in impact to the critical services that we rely on every day.”  

“Copper connects Victorian communities to many essential services.  Just one theft can cause widespread disruption. For example, copper stolen from the train network can impact thousands of people on their way to work or school.”   

There were 2,747 copper and scrap metal property items stolen across Victoria throughout the year ending June 2026, with Wyndham (287), Casey (278) and Melton (217) the three LGAs with the highest number of incidents.  

Ms Smith said community reporting plays a critical role in preventing copper theft. 

“Everyone has a role to play. Crime Stoppers gives Victorians a safe and anonymous way to report suspicious activity.” 

Victoria Police Detective Inspector Mark Patrick said copper theft is a blight on many Victorian neighbourhoods. 

“The cost of copper theft is an expensive one, both financially and as a risk to life,” he said. “It can be extremely dangerous to extract and then equally dangerous to the local community when live wiring is exposed.” 

The impact of copper theft reaches well beyond the theft itself, affecting critical infrastructure, said Detective Inspector Patrick. 

“While copper is not one of the most commonly stolen items in Victoria, we see that thousands of innocent people are impacted by a mindless minority of people who think it’s acceptable to cause major disruption to roads, new estates, construction sites and manufacturing locations,” he said. 

“That is why we are encouraging people to keep an eye out for suspicious activity, particularly around pits and substations.” 

Detective Inspector Patrick said community information remained one of the most valuable tools in identifying offenders and preventing further thefts. 

“The community can help us with this important work by reporting what they know to Crime Stoppers,” he said. “If you see something, say something.”