There’s a sneaky crime wave hitting our streets, and it’s way more dangerous than your typical smash-and-grab.

London Police Service and London Hydro have issued an urgent alert about copper wire thefts happening throughout downtown areas. But this isn’t just about someone making off with valuable metals – these thefts are creating legitimate safety hazards for everyone in the city.

The authorities are asking all Londoners to keep their eyes peeled for suspicious activity that might indicate copper wire theft in progress. Because let’s face it, most of us wouldn’t recognize a copper thief if we saw one – but now we know what to look for.

Here are the red flags that should make you reach for your phone:

• People messing with electrical equipment or sneaking into restricted zones at weird hours (think midnight prowlers or 5 AM “electricians”)
• Sketchy unmarked vehicles parked near electrical installations
• Individuals carrying tools like wire cutters, crowbars, battery-powered equipment or knives
• Electrical boxes or transformers that look tampered with, including missing or damaged covers

This citywide heads-up comes as authorities are seeing an uptick in these thefts, which can cause power outages, electrical fires, or even electrocution risks for unsuspecting residents and workers.

Police are urging residents to follow the “If You See Something, Say Something” approach when it comes to potential copper wire theft. After all, the person you spot climbing into that electrical box at 3 AM probably isn’t from London Hydro’s emergency maintenance team.

The coordinated alert from London Police Service, London Hydro, and the City of London underscores how seriously officials are taking these incidents, which affect both infrastructure and public safety.

While copper theft isn’t new – the valuable metal has long been targeted by thieves – the current increase in downtown incidents has prompted this special community alert to help catch perpetrators before someone gets hurt.

Those who notice suspicious activity are encouraged to report it to authorities immediately.