Hardisty community action plan reduces copper wire theft across eastern Alberta
HARDISTY, AB – The Alberta RCMP, in partnership with energy sector stakeholders, municipalities, and private security providers, is reporting significant progress in reducing copper wire theft across the Hardisty region through the Hardisty Community Action Plan.
Launched in August 2024, the plan has focused on deterring thefts at energy lease sites and critical infrastructure that were repeatedly targeted due to the high resale value of copper and precious metals. The first phase of the initiative, completed in March 2025, resulted in:
17 arrests related to copper wire theft.
Marked decreases in thefts across key locations involved in the action plan. In April 2025, no thefts were reported at targeted locations in these areas:
Consort, who had 10 reported thefts in in Aug. 2024;
Coronation, who had 2 reported thefts in Dec. 2024;
Killam, wo had 8 reported thefts in Aug. 2024; and
Provost, who had 6 reported thefts in Oct. 2024.
These results were made possible through enhanced patrols, curfew checks, and covert surveillance operations, supported by RCMP resources from Eastern and Central Alberta District Crime Reduction Units, INSET, Hardisty area detachments (municipal and provincial), RCMP divisional crime analysts, the Community Safety and Well-Being Branch as well as community and industry partners including Hardisty Terminal, Enbridge, South Bow, ATCO, Hardisty and District Development Group, Inter Pipeline, Cenovus, Gibson Energy, Husky Midstream, CNRL, Sedgewick, and all Town and County Elected Officials.
The RCMP is now in phase 2 of the Hardisty Initiative and is confident that by enhancing and developing their techniques that the community will see increased arrests and decreases in thefts in the area.
“Eastern Alberta RCMP have worked extensively with our communities and industry partners to successfully address the prevalence of metal theft and damage to industrial and private property over the last 12 months” said Supt. Anthony Hanson, Assistant District Officer for Eastern Alberta. “As Alberta’s Provincial Police Service, the RCMP has utilized its investigative and material resources through Crime Reduction Units, General Investigative Sections, remote and fixed wing Aircraft technology, Crime data analytics and local detachment resources to support this project through the targeting of know prolific offenders. Our community and industry partners have been engaged in ongoing public and direct consultations to articulate their pressures, concerns and proposed solutions, which we have centred this project around. Industry has invested in modern security features for their infrastructure while communities have initiated direct contact with Eastern Alberta RCMP leadership and their local Detachment Commanders to provide intelligence and support. This initiative will continue through 2025/26 with my full expectation of continued success”.
The RCMP encourages the public and industry partners to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around industrial sites. Copper wire theft is not just a property crime, it affects public safety, service continuity, and community well-being.
If you have any information about crimes in your community, please call your local RCMP detachment. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store. To report crime online, or for access to RCMP news and information, download the Alberta RCMP app through Apple or Google Play. To contact RCMP non-emergency line within any Alberta RCMP jurisdiction call 310-RCMP (7267).