Metal thieves do not only have copper in their spotlight. A derivative of this, brass (copper and zinc alloy) … It is also the object of desire for criminals. Its price is not as high as that of its older brother, but in return it can be easier to obtain fraudulently.
In fact, in recent months the complaints about the robberies of blinks, shooters, handles or brass handrails in portals of different parts of Spain have occurred. Gipuzkoa is no exception, and there is a record of subtractions at least in San Sebastián.
In the Amara neighborhood last Sunday, April 20 (Domingo de Resurreción), one disappeared in a portal of Sancho the Sabio Avenue. «That day a neighbor called me warning that they had forced the street door, which thieves could have entered. when I went to see I saw that what they had done was take the shooter, ”says Juan, goalkeeper of several portals in the area. «It is very easy to take them away. On many occasions, unravel them with a screwdriver, ”he explains.
He points out that «a couple of years ago there was already a wave of robberies in this area. Pomos, handles and portals of Paseo de Errondo, Sancho the Wise, Carlos I … for what they see, they act, ”they regret.” In the case cited, the stolen piece has been replaced «with a stainless steel. There is no one to do one like the one there was. Brass is no longer working as before. In addition, being stainless steel I suppose that it will not be so juicy for criminals, ”Razona Juan.
Guidance prices in scrap (€/kg)
Even and everything, in the community they have decided to condemn one of the screws with which the piece is subject to the door of the portal “so that at least if they want to take it, it is more difficult than using a screwdriver,” he says. And encourages other communities to do the same, especially those that still retain the brass piece. “Just spoil ‘the screw so that it is not easy to get it out.” “It’s a shame,” he says. In addition to its value, because it is not possible to put an equal one and, you want no, the portal is no longer so beautiful ».
As in Donostia, shooters and other easily accessible brass elements from public roads have been stolen in different parts of Spain. In Madrid, the local press even spoke in January of ‘La Mafia del Picaporte’ after robberies in a short time in different neighborhoods of the capital.
According to webs specialized in the scrap market, the brass would be contributing at this time around 3.40 euros per kilo, just under half than copper (between 7,20 and 7,60 depending on the type and quality), but well above iron (0.21), stainless steel (1,10), aluminum (1,25), and almost at the same time as the bronze (3.86).
