Copper Worth £6.5k Stolen in Commercial Burglary in St Austell

Devon and Cornwall Police are appealing for witnesses following a high-value burglary at a business premises in St Austell. Thieves managed to steal approximately £6,500 worth of copper files and wiring after breaking into the facility, leaving business owners and local authorities seeking information.

The burglary occurred at Teddington Appliance Controls, situated in St Austell, Cornwall. Investigators believe the incident took place between 12:00 GMT on Friday, January 9, 2026, and 06:00 GMT on Monday, January 12, 2026. The offenders gained access to the premises by forcing open a window, allowing them to search the building and locate the valuable metal stock.

Police Target Scrap Metal Dealers in Investigation

Officers are particularly keen to speak with scrap metal dealers or anyone in the recycling trade who may have been offered large quantities of copper files or wiring for sale. Because copper is a highly sought-after commodity on the scrap market, police are urging businesses to be suspicious of any bulk offers of the material without proper documentation.

A police spokesperson stated: "We are appealing to anyone who may have seen suspicious activity around Teddington Appliance Controls over the weekend of January 9th to 12th, or who has been offered copper for sale under unusual circumstances, to contact Devon and Cornwall Police immediately."

The public is encouraged to come forward with any details, including CCTV or dashcam footage from the surrounding area during the time of the break-in.