Copper theft in Spain surges amid high metal prices
Copper theft in Spain is experiencing a significant surge, driven by high global metal prices and the increasing demand for conductors in semiconductors and artificial intelligence. According to the Ministry of the Interior's Statistical System of Criminality (SEC), there were 5,691 recorded incidents of copper and conductor material theft in 2025, representing a 23% increase from 2024 and a nearly 150% increase since 2021.
Criminal activity has increasingly targeted renewable energy infrastructure and electric vehicle charging points. Captain José Luis Vereda of the Guardia Civil noted that copper from photovoltaic solar panels is currently a primary target due to its location in often unmonitored areas.
High market values on the London Metal Exchange, with prices reaching between $14,300 and $14,700 per ton, have incentivized these thefts. Furthermore, the ease with which stolen copper can be melted down makes it difficult for authorities to trace the origin of the material.
Entities
Guardia Civil · José Luis Vereda · London Metal Exchange · Ministry of the Interior · Villa de Vallecas
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 4 SOURCES] Copper theft in 2025 is nearly 150% higher than in 2021 and 23% higher than in 2024. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.lne.es
- [● 4 SOURCES] Copper prices on the London Metal Exchange reached between $14,300 and $14,700 per ton. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.lne.es
- [● 4 SOURCES] Copper theft has increased by at least 4% annually since the pandemic. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.lne.es
- [● 4 SOURCES] The Ministry of the Interior recorded 5,691 known incidents of copper wiring and conductor material theft in 2025. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.lne.es
- [● 4 SOURCES] The most frequently stolen copper is currently from photovoltaic solar panels. www.lacronicabadajoz.com · www.diariodemallorca.es · www.farodevigo.es · www.lne.es