London police say they have identified a pattern of copper thefts from homes that have been vacated and listed for sale.

Since November 2013, investigators say 17 break and enters have been reported in which copper wiring and copper tubing has been removed from vacant homes.

The most recent occurred last Thursday, when a home had all the copper removed from its basement.

So far, homes in the east end of the city have been targeted, in an area bounded by the Thames River and Oxford Street as well as Adelaide Street to Clarke Road.

In the cases where the time of the theft can be determined, police say it appears they are taking place overnight.

The pattern was identified using the new Bair Analytics Inc. ATAC crime mapping and analytical tools recently obtained through a provincial grant.

Residents are being asked to report any suspicious activity in or around vacant homes listed ‘For Sale’ in their neighbourhoods.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 519-661-5670 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.