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Metal thieves steal roof, slide
05/03/2007 12:25 - (SA)
Tokyo - Children's slides, incense holders
from cemeteries and even the roof of a public toilet have
disappeared in a spate of metal robberies in Japan prompted by
surging steel and copper prices.
Last year, there were about 5 700 such robberies in Japan
causing damages worth about ¥2bn ($17.27m), and
the number of cases is rising, media reports said citing the
National Police Agency.
There were four incidents of metals robberies on Sunday
alone, including the theft of 550kg of copper wire worth about
¥330 000 in Gifu prefecture, central Japan, media said.
Last month, thieves stole two stainless steel slides from
parks in Saitama prefecture neighbouring Tokyo.
"There were bolts scattered around the area, and the steps
for the slides were left behind," a town official said.
"We don't know how heavy they were, but I think it must have
taken at least two people to take them away," he added.
'Construction boom'
Industry officials believe the metal was stolen to be sold as
scrap to China, feeding a construction boom as Beijing prepares
to host the 2008 Olympics.
An official at the Japan Iron and Steel Recycling Institute
said demand for scrap metal was strong both on the domestic
market and overseas markets in China, South Korea and Taiwan.
"With metals prices at levels where they are now, I think we
will probably continue to see thefts of these kinds," the
official said.
"After all, you cannot have somebody guarding all public
places around the clock," he added.
About 200 stainless steel containers to hold burning incense
were stolen from a cemetery in Kanagawa prefecture, south of
Tokyo, in late February.
"We are still making checks about damages ... but nothing
like this has ever happened before," a cemetery official said.
Japan's crime rate is among the lowest in Asia.
Thieves have also targeted copper, a metal with a wide range
of industrial uses including construction, transport and power
industries.
Last month, thieves stole the copper roof of a public toilet
in Kanagawa prefecture, near Tokyo, media reports said.
Copper closed at $6 020 a ton on the London Metal Exchange
on Friday, up more than 60% since late 2005 when demand
from China started to drive prices higher.
- Reuters
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