Ibaraki Prefecture creates posters to prevent metal cable theft, worst in Japan for fourth consecutive year

1. Number of metal thefts nationwide to reach record high in 2024
2. Call for implementation of multiple crime prevention measures

Number of metal thefts nationwide
to hit record high in 2024

Source: Ibaraki Prefectural Police Headquarters

As metal prices soar, the number of metal thefts is increasing, especially in northern Kanto. According to a summary by the National Police Agency, the number of metal thefts has been on the rise since 2020, when statistics on metal thefts began to be collected, with 16,276 reported cases in 2011 and a pace to break previous records in 2012. In particular, the number of thefts in Ibaraki Prefecture in 2011 was 2,889, accounting for 17.8% of the total, making it the highest number in the country for the fourth consecutive year.

Solar power generation facilities are often located in places that are hard to see, and are prone to being targeted due to the large amount of copper wire cables that are present, and according to statistics from the Ibaraki Prefectural Police, damage to solar power generation facilities accounts for more than 60% of all metal thefts. In order to prevent damage from theft, crime prevention measures by solar power generation companies and others are important, so the Ibaraki General Insurance Association of the Kanto Branch of the Japan General Insurance Association (Chairman: Daisuke Uenishi, Ibaraki Branch Manager, Tokio Marine & Nichido Fire Insurance Co., Ltd.) has worked with the Ibaraki Prefectural Police to create 500 posters calling for crime prevention measures.

Calling for the implementation of multiple crime prevention measures

Source: Japan General Insurance Association, Kanto Branch, Ibaraki General Insurance Association

The poster calls for the creation of facilities that are perceived as less likely to be theft-prone by implementing multiple crime prevention measures, such as the introduction of alarm devices such as "fence sensors" and "wire sensors," as well as the installation of "security cameras" and "security lights" as equipment-related measures, and frequent patrols and strengthened nighttime surveillance systems as operational measures. The Ibaraki Non-Life Insurance Association of the Kanto Branch of the General Insurance Association of Japan commented, "We will continue to work with the police and related organizations to promote activities aimed at creating safe and secure cities."

At the "Cable Theft Prevention Webinar" to be held on Friday, March 14th, Toshiyuki Kobayashi, Second Assistant Director of Crime Prevention Measures at the Ibaraki Prefectural Police Headquarters' Public Safety General Affairs Division, will give a lecture titled "Characteristics of Metal Cable Theft and Countermeasures."

A webinar on cable theft prevention measures will be held for solar power plant owners on March 14th. In three hours, the latest information and know-how on theft prevention measures will be covered, including the latest information on damage status and government trends, the increasing damage to low-voltage power plants, explanations of countermeasure guidelines, and cost-effectiveness.