Copper Theft in Spain Increases by 87% Over Five Years
Alarming surge in copper and conductive material thefts highlights a growing security concern
The prevalence of copper and conductive material theft in Spain has experienced a significant surge, with incidents reaching 4,433 in 2024, marking an 87% increase compared to 2019 figures.
Data from the Ministry of the Interior's Statistical System of Criminality indicates that law enforcement has detained or investigated 987 individuals in the past year, more than double the number from five years prior.
Castilla-La Mancha leads the statistics with 799 reported thefts, followed closely by Andalucía with 745 and the Comunidad de Madrid with 678.
Other regions registering notable thefts include Castilla y León (428), Aragón (298), Asturias (272), Comunidad Valenciana (271), and Galicia (259).
The trend has been consistently upward, with theft cases rising from 1,460 in 2020 to 4,053 in 2023, culminating in the current peak.
Similarly, arrests have increased from 420 in 2019 to nearly 1,000 in 2024, with Asturias recording the highest number of arrests at 147, followed by Castilla-La Mancha and Andalucía, each with 146 arrests.
The severity of the issue was underscored this month by a theft of wiring from the AVE Madrid-Andalucía line, which disrupted service for 16 trains and affected 10,700 passengers.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage, executed with technical knowledge in a critical area lacking surveillance cameras.
Although the value of the stolen copper is estimated to surpass 1,000 euros, the resulting damage to service and reputation is considerable.
Law enforcement operations, such as 'Ascia' conducted by the Guardia Civil in May, illustrate the scale of the crime, leading to the arrest of 36 individuals for stealing over 34,000 meters of cable valued at nearly two million euros.
The operation's methodology involved prior surveillance, nighttime cutting, environmental hazards from material burning, and illegal sales through scrap yards.
In response to this rising trend, the Ministry of the Interior has maintained a special prevention plan for several years, in collaboration with security forces, Adif, and other authorities, aimed at addressing a crime that poses significant economic impacts and risks to critical infrastructure security.
Data from the Ministry of the Interior's Statistical System of Criminality indicates that law enforcement has detained or investigated 987 individuals in the past year, more than double the number from five years prior.
Castilla-La Mancha leads the statistics with 799 reported thefts, followed closely by Andalucía with 745 and the Comunidad de Madrid with 678.
Other regions registering notable thefts include Castilla y León (428), Aragón (298), Asturias (272), Comunidad Valenciana (271), and Galicia (259).
The trend has been consistently upward, with theft cases rising from 1,460 in 2020 to 4,053 in 2023, culminating in the current peak.
Similarly, arrests have increased from 420 in 2019 to nearly 1,000 in 2024, with Asturias recording the highest number of arrests at 147, followed by Castilla-La Mancha and Andalucía, each with 146 arrests.
The severity of the issue was underscored this month by a theft of wiring from the AVE Madrid-Andalucía line, which disrupted service for 16 trains and affected 10,700 passengers.
Transport Minister Óscar Puente described the incident as a deliberate act of sabotage, executed with technical knowledge in a critical area lacking surveillance cameras.
Although the value of the stolen copper is estimated to surpass 1,000 euros, the resulting damage to service and reputation is considerable.
Law enforcement operations, such as 'Ascia' conducted by the Guardia Civil in May, illustrate the scale of the crime, leading to the arrest of 36 individuals for stealing over 34,000 meters of cable valued at nearly two million euros.
The operation's methodology involved prior surveillance, nighttime cutting, environmental hazards from material burning, and illegal sales through scrap yards.
In response to this rising trend, the Ministry of the Interior has maintained a special prevention plan for several years, in collaboration with security forces, Adif, and other authorities, aimed at addressing a crime that poses significant economic impacts and risks to critical infrastructure security.
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