SCHOOL COPPER NICKED
COPPER pipes have been stolen from a Gold Coast primary school for the second time this year.
Students at Currumbin State School were told to bring a full water bottle after thieves stole “a large portion” of copper pipes from the outside of the building, cutting its water supply.
Police are investigating. Copper is one of the most valuable scrap metals, making it an easy and high-value target. It is valued at $8-12 a kilo, a scrap metal dealer confirmed.
“In the non-precious metals, copper is the most valuable someone from home or someone from the street can bring in,” said George Venkov, of Recycling Enterprises, who is required to keep a record of every scrap metal purchase he makes.
Community platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree go unregulated.