Another wave of theft has moved in over Malmö. In two weeks, 42 missing well caps have already been reported to the city of Malmö – and the reason for the thefts is still unclear.
– It seems to be a new wave of thefts, says Morgan Olofsson, responsible for Operation and Maintenance in Malmö City, to TV4 Nyheterna.
In October last year, a wave of thefts of missing well caps began in Malmö. In January, it could be established that nearly 50 pieces had been stolen, it reported Swedens radio.
Now the reports have once again started coming in to the city of Malmö – and in two weeks there are already 42 reported missing on the streets.
– It is very unusual, says Nils Norling, press spokesperson for the Malmö police area, to TV4 Nyheterna.
“A new wave of theft”
Since the wave of thefts in January, few well caps have gone unnoticed in principle. Now the thefts are starting again and especially northern and eastern Malmö seem to be particularly vulnerable.
– It seems to be a new wave of thefts, says Morgan Olofsson, responsible for Operation and Maintenance in Malmö City, to TV4 Nyheterna.
Buying them costs between SEK 800 and 3,500, depending on the model. But the resale value is low and the chance of them being resold is minimal, he says. He therefore believes that they are in fact used in other ways.
– Our speculation is the scrap value. In these times of inflation and recession, it becomes worth melting down well caps to get at the iron, he says.
Great danger for cyclists
According to Nils Norling, it is not a highly valued metal – but that it is difficult to see why one would steal the well caps otherwise.
– You should never underestimate criminals, they can be creative. At the same time, unfortunately, we cannot rule out that someone wants society badly in some way, he says.
According to Olofsson, it is especially cyclists or people on electric scooters who can be exposed to danger.
– It’s quite scary because the risk is high that you don’t see that there are holes in the ground.
Morgan Olofsson now urges to report missing well caps to the city of Malmö so that staff can block and replace them.