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SYDNEY - AUSTRALIAN copper thieves have turned tomb raiders, pilfering plaques and vases from cemeteries to sell the metal for scrap, an official said on Tuesday.
Surging demand for copper in India and China has pushed the price of scrap copper to A$7,500 (S$9.400) per metric ton, New South Wales state Energy Minister Ian Macdonald said.
'We are even seeing problems at cemeteries with the stealing of copper from grave site' plaques and vases, Mr Macdonald told reporters.
He said one suspect was almost killed as he tried to cut an 11,000-volt copper power cable in Sydney.
The government of Australia's most populous state has launched a community awareness campaign, urging the public and scrap metal dealers to report suspicious activities to police. -- AP
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