A community in Ward Seven of the Hagen Urban Local Level Government (LLG) in Western Highlands Province, has raised concerns over the theft of water meters by vandals.

The Apo community at Warakum Junction in Mt Hagen City were surprised on Tuesday morning to find water running freely after vandals cut a pipe and removed two water meters during the previous night.

Community spokesperson Nepson Mohaso called on Water PNG and the police to take note of the trend, noting that thieves had been targeting water meters in and around the Warakum area.

“In the past, water meters were typically installed near individual houses.”

However, following a recent rollout of new water meters to consumers by Water PNG, most meters were placed together at single locations, often near roadsides.

The community expressed an urgent need for Water PNG to change this approach and install the meters closer to consumers' houses for better security.

At the time of the report, it remained unknown whether the criminals intended to resell the stolen meters.