The risks of metal theft from commercial sites outweigh the rewards, warns the New Zealand Police. 

“Police have attended scenes in which people have placed themselves at great risk to remove metal items they are selling for cash,” Senior Sergeant Andy Livingstone said.

Profit can be a strong motivator for these thieves, but Senior Sergeant Livingstone said the risk can vary from electrocution to asphyxiation when entering these restricted areas.

“Workers at these sites who have legitimate access are appropriately briefed, have safety equipment and training to mitigate any risk their work environment poses,” he said.

“Those breaking and entering these sites do not have this knowledge and safety processes.”

These thefts from commercial properties are immeasurable to the business owner, causing incredible stress and detracting resources and time from where they are needed.

“Police are also receiving many reports regarding online offending,” Senior Sergeant Livingstone said.

There are a number of principles purchasers of this scrap metal can follow to mitigate the harm caused by selling these stolen items. 

“If it's too good to be true, then it’s probably stolen,” Senior Sergeant Livingstone said.

Block and ignore unknown numbers, texts, or social media contacts. Scammers are targeting you.

Lock your door at night? Do the same online. Review your security settings and check what information strangers can access.

There’s no such thing as a free lunch; you may pay for it often. Be cautious of exceptional investment opportunities.

If it were that easy, everyone would do it. Always verify your identity and check with your bank before making transfers.