METRO VANCOUVER - Rising copper prices have led to a resurgence in copper thefts in Metro Vancouver, with one this morning that left hundreds of Surrey residents without 911-service.

Telus spokesman Shawn Hall said Telus was working to restore phone service to 400 customers and Internet service to another 500 after thieves cut and removed 60 metres of thick aerial copper cable in the 12100 block of 104th Street. They also cut a length of fibre optic cable but left it behind when they realized it was plastic and is worthless on the scrap metal market.

Service was expected to be restored late Monday night or early Tuesday. Two other smaller cable thefts also occurred Monday in Haney and Langley, affecting a handful of customers.

Hall said the thefts coincide with a rise in copper prices from $2.50 to $3.40 a pound.

Telus is working with the RCMP and scrap dealers to try and stop the increase in copper cable thefts, which had waned in the past two years after the price dropped.

Hall said during that time Telus has switched many of its copper wiring to fibre optics and "hardened" up its yards, where thefts were occurring.

He noted the Telus cables are unique and scrap dealers should know it's stolen if it comes in.