SIX water meters reported stolen to police may be just a portion of what was taken.
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Residents in East Bendigo were left without water meters following the thefts, Bendigo Police leading senior constable Sally Dunlop said.
More reports could come in as members of the public contacted police and Coliban Water.
Police expected to have a better idea of what was taken later Thursday and were appealing for anyone with information to come forward after thefts that included residential properties along Murphy Street, Lloyd Street and Day Street.
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LSC Dunlop said water meters were typically stolen either to be sold as scrap metal or to help people avoid paying for water.
“They swap the meters over with their own when they are doing a huge water pump for tanks or pools to bypass charges,” she said.
Given the number of meters stolen, LSC Dunlop said they would likely be sold on and called for those buying scrap metal to be on the lookout.
Police were working closely with Coliban Water, who were replacing the water meters free of charge Thursday, LSC Dunlop said.
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