Parramatta light rail: Thieves steal copper as security guards employed 24 hours a day

Taxpayers are funding 24/7 security guards to monitor the future Parramatta light rail so copper thefts can be foiled. Here is what we know.

The Parramatta light rail tracks at Camellia where copper thefts have occurred.

Transport officials refuse to confirm how much taxpayers have spent on around-the-clock security to foil more copper theft along the Parramatta light rail line.

This publication understands security guards’ rosters have been shifted to a 24/7 operation this month in a bid to thwart more thefts at 16 stops – including Grand Ave, Camellia, since late last year.

A cyclist using the path at Camellia said three guards were on duty and their rosters were altered to help thwart thefts of copper inside the electricity poles.

The cyclist, who regularly uses the spot along the 12km line has said thieves were taking advantage of hitting the poles to steal the copper because there was no electricity running in the lines until the network opened in the middle of the year.

A Transport for NSW spokeswoman said police were investigating reported thefts along the line, which will connect Westmead to Carlingford.

South of Carlingford: The Parramatta to Carlingford cycleway to the left and the light rail line on the right.

“The Parramatta light rail line is monitored by security and surveillance around the clock and Transport for NSW works closely with NSW Police to target and deter anti-social and criminal behaviour,’’ she said.

“Fines apply for people caught trespassing on transport land and rail corridors.”

The spokeswoman said the cost of security to prevent incidents during construction and testing was covered in the project’s budget.

But with the line opening at least another six months away, thieves could continue to target the copper before electricity is switched on.

“Parramatta light rail testing is actively under way, and interfering with live wires could kill,’’ the spokeswoman said.

“Trespassing and theft are dangerous and often deadly issues across the transport system, with 80 people injured after trespassing in the Sydney Trains rail corridor in the past five years, and 13 people killed – two in 2023 alone.”

The spokeswoman said trespassing incidents on Sydney light rail increased from 53 incidents in 2022 to 73 in 2023.