Tighter scrapyard checks needed to tackle cable theft, says Bukit Aman [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Federal police will implement stricter inspections at scrap metal yards to curb cable theft and dismantle organized syndicates, according to Bukit Aman Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department director Datuk Seri Noor Hisam Nordin. The director emphasized that addressing the issue requires a two-pronged approach, targeting both thieves and those who buy and sell stolen copper.

Continuous inspections at scrap yards, including licence and permit checks, are crucial in disrupting the criminal supply chain that fuels cable theft, particularly for telecommunications cables. Noor Hisam's call for enhanced surveillance measures and security frameworks follows a surge in brazen thefts, including an incident in Kampung Melayu Panchor, Seremban, where four masked men stole telecommunication cables from underground manholes near a school.

The police have seized five cars, equipment, and burnt copper wires, highlighting the illicit processing of stolen cables. Noor Hisam proposed a comprehensive security framework divided into two categories: one focusing on high-risk telecommunications facilities and the other addressing underground cable thefts. For the first category, he suggested installing AI-enabled CCTV systems, conducting security risk assessments, and establishing an integrated alarm response protocol.

The second category emphasizes securing underground utilities, installing high-security manhole covers, and introducing a digital verification system for contractors and maintenance workers. Noor Hisam also advocated for hotspot policing to concentrate surveillance efforts in areas identified through crime analysis.