Copper and Water Meter Theft on the Rise: Stay Alert, Stay Protected

Crime

Copper and Water Meter Theft on the Rise: Stay Alert, Stay Protected

Atlas Security has noted a recent increase in copper theft and stolen water meters across multiple suburbs. This particular crime is not isolated to one area—suspects tend to target a neighbourhood, removing two to three water meters at a time before moving on to the next location.

We urge residents to take proactive measures to protect their water meters. Most copper theft incidents occur on the exterior of properties, allowing criminals to operate undetected without triggering an alarm system.

Among the suburbs recently affected, we have recorded multiple incidents in Newton Park, Kabega Park, Vanes Estate, and Springfield. Additionally, during the course of a single evening, three cases of water meter thefts were reported in Walmer Heights. Our teams are on high alert and will be increasing visibility in areas that have been targeted.

To combat this growing issue, Atlas Security offers advanced solutions such as AtlasVision. This AI-driven surveillance system enhances security by detecting human movement at pre-determined times, providing an added layer of protection against opportunistic criminals.

A critical challenge we are facing is that many affected residents are not opening cases with SAPS. We strongly urge you to report all incidents to law enforcement. Without a case number, the theft is not officially recorded, which means SAPS deployments will focus on areas with reported problems rather than where crimes are occurring.

Protect your property, report suspicious activity, and ensure that all incidents are officially recorded.

Read More

Crime

Swift Response Leads to Copper Cable Theft Arrest in Sydenham

February 23, 2026

On Saturday morning, while attending to a call in the Sydenham area, Atlas Security’s Armed Response Officer Bravo 20 was approached by a security officer. The security officer reported four males cutting cables along the railway line and provided a clothing description. Our Armed Response Officer Bravo 20 was immediately dispatched to investigate.

Read more
Crime

Crime Snapshot: The First Seven Days of January 2026

January 13, 2026

The first week of January provided an early indication of what crime patterns across Nelson Mandela Bay are shaping up to look like in 2026. Between 1 and 7 January, Atlas Security responded to 108 incidents across the metro and apprehended 24 suspects linked to multiple crimes.

Read more
Crime

House Robbery Suspect Arrested

January 22, 2026

On the evening of 21 January 2026, Atlas Security’s Rapid Intervention Unit (RIU) responded to a phone-in reaction reporting shots fired in the Sydenham area. Armed Response Officers Bravo 140 and Bravo 17 were already on scene alongside SAPS when the incident was reported. The Control Room immediately acknowledged the call and dispatched RIU vehicle R01 without delay.

Read more