Thanks to China's growing economy, there has been a rise in thefts of copper water meters in recent months. The economy is spurring demand for metal and other commodities, and criminals looking to make a bit of money are going after the water meters.
Copper is so closely linked with demand in China that its price dropped last month simply on concerns that Beijin might try to curb its economy. Scrap dealers are offering up to 50 RMB ($6.50) for each water meter, which is more than what most migrant workers make in a day.
Shanghai Southern Waterworks Co. said that it lost 563 of its water meters during the first four months of this year, and during the same period last year, it lost only 77 water meters. Throughout all of last year, 500 water meters were stolen, which was double the number from the previous year.
Police are making occasional arrests for water meter theft, but the amount of money in individual cases is so small that the crimes are of low priority.
