Roofplunderen

Roofplunderen is a criminal activity that involves stealing materials or equipment from rooftops. The term is used in Dutch-language reporting to describe cases in which thieves remove metal roofing components, rainwater systems, or rooftop installations, and in some instances rooftop solar panels. The motive is typically the resale value of metals such as copper, lead, and aluminum, and prices influence the frequency of incidents.

Common targets include copper flashing, downpipes, gutters, roof tiles with copper seams, lead outlines, and wiring associated with solar arrays or ventilation equipment. Perpetrators often exploit accessible roof spaces, and incidents are most common at night or during periods when buildings are less monitored. Roofplunderen can cause structural damage, water intrusion, and safety hazards for occupants and workers, and may trigger costly repairs and insurance claims.

Legal status and penalties: In most jurisdictions, roofplunderen is treated as theft or burglary and can be charged as aggravated theft if substantial damage occurs. Some regions have targeted regulations addressing metal theft, including mandatory seller verification and marking of metal goods.

Prevention and response: Measures include securing roof access, installing motion sensors and CCTV, using tamper-resistant fasteners, marking valuable roofing materials with unique identifiers, and coordinating with scrap-metal dealers to flag suspicious transactions. Routine inspections and rapid repairs after an incident reduce long-term risk.