Despite a ban the government placed several weeks ago on copper exports and restrictions placed on other scrap metal, theft of these materials remains a major problem, police said yesterday.
Police said they arrested two men, ages 38 and 26, after they were caught stealing metal pipes from the Water & Sewerage Corporation's (WSC) well fields off Frank Watson Boulevard Saturday morning.
Police reportedly caught the men digging pipes out of the ground and loading them onto trucks.
Director of the National Crime Prevention Office Superintendent Stephen Dean said yesterday the theft is having a negative impact on government agencies.
"Earlier this year we had an incident where a major section of New Providence was shut down as a result of copper theft," said Dean at a press conference at Police Headquarters on East Street.
"When essential services [provided by] WSC, the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC), the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas (BCB) and the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) are affected, their customers are also affected. There is a major cost involved."
Dean said police are taking a zero tolerance approach to the theft. "The police will spare no efforts to make sure that these people are arrested," he said.
"We have beefed up security in areas where essential services are located. Anyone found breaking the law will be arrested."
In the House of Assembly last week, Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham tabled a bill that would allow police greater access to cash for gold and scrap metal businesses, which are currently unregulated.
The bill would allow appointed officers to enter a business person's premises to inspect articles.
Dean reiterated the need for business people in the scrap metal business to form ties with the police.  "Scrap metal businesses must ensure that any stolen properties presented to them are turned into police," he said.
"These businesses have a big responsibility because if they are found with these properties in their possession, they will be arrested."
Dean urged all businesses to properly secure their properties.
"Put no trespassing signs and surveillance cameras around your businesses," he said.
Dean said in most instances, the culprits who are stealing scrap metal and copper are repeat offenders.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian