Tough new laws are being introduced to crack down on copper thefts in South Australia amid substantial financial losses for the construction industry and an increased risk to the public. 

The state government says the absence of regulations governing the scrap metal industry makes selling stolen copper and other metals easy.

The proposed legislation aims to regulate the industry by requiring all scrap metal dealers to register, meticulously record all metal transactions, and permit police inspections of their premises.

”It will make it a lot more effective for police to be able to have a deterrent effect in relation to the selling of copper and other precious metals,” SA Police Assistant Commissioner Narelle Kameniar said.

In many instances, copper thefts from building sites leave live wires exposed, posing a grave public safety concern.

Stephen Knight from the Housing Industry Association also slammed the senselessness of the thefts.

“The people who steal copper from building sites are idiots, for a few dollars of scrap metal they are putting their own lives at risk,” he said. 

The public is invited to participate in a three-week consultation period before the new regulations are finalised.