Copper theft reported at Pispalan School in Tampere, Finland

This weekend, a copper theft occurred at Pispalan School in Tampere, Finland, where thieves made off with items from accessible areas on campus. According to Principal Ilpo Rantanen, the stolen items included two door handles and protective kick plates from the doors. “We are currently compiling a list of the missing parts,” he stated, adding that fortunately, no entry was made inside the school premises, and key access points were left untouched.

The theft was reported by passersby who noticed the altered appearance of various doors. Upon inspection, Principal Rantanen discovered the kick plate protecting the bottom of a girls’ restroom door was dangerously dangling. “We had to remove it immediately this morning to prevent any accidents before students arrived,” he explained.

The incident is not expected to significantly disrupt the school’s routine, as classes are proceeding as normal, with a scheduled fire inspection taking place on Monday. Discussions will be held with property services regarding filing a police report.

Based on observations, authorities believe the theft occurred overnight between Saturday and Sunday, likely in the early hours. Rantanen expressed confidence that the case will be resolved, noting that the school is equipped with high-quality surveillance cameras.

This isn’t the first copper theft in the area, as similar incidents have been reported in Tampere earlier this month. For instance, an attempt to steal copper elements from the exterior of a building took place in mid-October. In a related case last year, metal thieves damaged a bronze memorial at Pispalanharju. Two individuals were sentenced to two years in prison for serious thefts in connection with these incidents.