Five Arrested Over Shek Lei Pui Filter Plant Burglary
HK01 · 4 SOURCES1 day ago2 MIN
Summary
Police said five men were arrested after an investigation into thefts at the disused Shek Lei Pui Filter Plant in Sham Shui Po district, including four suspects for burglary and a recycling shop operator for allegedly handling stolen goods. The investigation linked the stolen copper pump parts and other copper materials to a recycling shop in Sham Shui Po.
Key Points
- On October 7, officers arrested one local man and three Vietnamese men holding recognizance papers, aged between 25 and 45, on suspicion of burglary.
- Police also arrested a 55-year-old local man who ran a recycling shop in Sham Shui Po on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
- The Water Supplies Department reported that 48 copper water-pump parts and multiple copper cables were stolen from the Shek Lei Pui Filter Plant on Cheung Yuen Road, with losses put at about HK$350,000.
- HK01 reported an earlier complaint was received at 9:54am on September 28, when two doors and their locks were found damaged and 48 pumps were discovered missing
- The filter plant has been out of operation since 2021, and the Water Supplies Department said the stolen parts were non-operational, so local water supply was unaffected
Why It Matters
The case has drawn attention to security risks at disused but still sensitive waterworks sites, even where stolen equipment no longer affects daily supply. The Water Supplies Department said it has fencing, CCTV and regular patrols in place, and will continue reviewing security measures with police as it plans other water-supply-related uses for the site