Copper theft leaves more than 100km of Perth roads dark
Over 100 kilometres of Perth's major roads and paths have no street lights because thieves keep stealing copper cable.
More than 100 kilometres of Perth's roads and paths sit dark at night, some for years. Thieves keep pulling copper wire from the street lighting system and selling it on the black market.
This week police charged three people with copper theft. One man stole more than 190 metres of cable from a Telstra site in Gidgegannup in September, netting about 500 kilograms of copper.
Some scrap metal recyclers are helping thieves by buying stolen copper without proper checks. Dealers are legally required to record sales.
The WA government allocated nearly $12 million in the 2026-27 budget to replace stolen cable and add anti-theft protections. Main Roads says the work will take several years.
Priority routes include Kwinana Freeway, Tonkin Highway and Reid Highway. Work is also planned on Great Northern Highway, Mitchell Freeway and Roe Highway.
- 100+ kilometres
- Road length unlit
- 190 metres
- Cable stolen in one theft
- 500 kilograms
- Copper recovered
- Nearly $12 million
- Government investment
Why it mattersDark roads create safety hazards for drivers and pedestrians; the theft also puts technicians at risk when they repair the sites.
AustraliaOver 1,400 kilometres of cable has been stolen from Perth's Main Roads network, costing WA taxpayers millions and leaving residents in unlit areas.
✓ Claims checked against the source. checked 2 h ago
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