Copper and Water Meter Theft on the Rise: Stay Alert, Stay Protected

Crime

Copper and Water Meter Theft on the Rise: Stay Alert, Stay Protected

Atlas Security has noted a recent increase in copper theft and stolen water meters across multiple suburbs. This particular crime is not isolated to one area—suspects tend to target a neighbourhood, removing two to three water meters at a time before moving on to the next location.

We urge residents to take proactive measures to protect their water meters. Most copper theft incidents occur on the exterior of properties, allowing criminals to operate undetected without triggering an alarm system.

Among the suburbs recently affected, we have recorded multiple incidents in Newton Park, Kabega Park, Vanes Estate, and Springfield. Additionally, during the course of a single evening, three cases of water meter thefts were reported in Walmer Heights. Our teams are on high alert and will be increasing visibility in areas that have been targeted.

To combat this growing issue, Atlas Security offers advanced solutions such as AtlasVision. This AI-driven surveillance system enhances security by detecting human movement at pre-determined times, providing an added layer of protection against opportunistic criminals.

A critical challenge we are facing is that many affected residents are not opening cases with SAPS. We strongly urge you to report all incidents to law enforcement. Without a case number, the theft is not officially recorded, which means SAPS deployments will focus on areas with reported problems rather than where crimes are occurring.

Protect your property, report suspicious activity, and ensure that all incidents are officially recorded.

Read More

Safety

The Old Trick Is Back: Why Your Power Going Off Could Be The First Sign Of A Break-In

July 14, 2026

It is a familiar and painful scene. A family returns from a weekend away, or a business owner unlocks up on a Monday morning, only to find that their property has been ransacked. Drawers pulled open, rooms searched from corner to corner, and no obvious sign of forced entry from the street. For our teams on the ground, this pattern has become increasingly familiar in recent months, and it almost always starts the same way: with the power quietly switched off.

Read more
Safety

Understand The Role & Important Of A Keyholder In Security

July 16, 2025

When it comes to securing your home, the term "keyholder" plays a vital role in ensuring a swift and effective response during an emergency. As the name suggests, a keyholder is an individual who holds the keys to your home, providing access to our team in the event of an activation or emergency.

Read more
Safety

Staying Safe in Nelson Mandela Bay: Insights from the Last Week of May 2025

June 5, 2025

As May 2025 came to a close, Nelson Mandela Bay faced a range of safety and security incidents. From 26 to 31 May, a total of 82 incidents were reported across the city.

Read more