Police are investigating multiple metal thefts in Dunedin in recent weeks as prices for the scrap metal jump.
Senior Sergeant Brian Benn said five hand-worked iron garden gates had been reported stolen and copper spouting from two schools and a church had been stripped in the past two weeks.
"Obviously, the message there is to make sure your gates are secured, so they can't be removed easily."
Several thefts of copper hot water cylinders and of copper wire had also been reported to police.
"It's not quite an epidemic, but something to be aware of."
Police had a good relationship with Dunedin scrap metal dealers, who reported suspicious sellers to police.
Sims Pacific Metals manager Rob Pape said the price for copper was higher than it had been in more than a year.
Sims paid up to $9.20/kg for the best copper and up to $8.78 for domestic copper.
Another scrap metal dealer suggested people were stealing wrought iron gates to sell for use as garden gates and not to sell as scrap metal.
