Planks removed at Sarnia Bay Marina show where copper wire was stolen. Photo provided by Sarnia police.

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The City of Sarnia is exploring the implementation of a permit system for the sale of scrap metal after brazen and damaging thefts at Sarnia Bay Marina.

Councillor Mike Stark is suggesting a $25 fee per transaction for anyone selling over a pound of scrap metal through a dealer in the city.

“I want it to be absolutely clear that we need to do something,” said Stark. “We have to confront the thefts that are going on.”

Stark also suggests the metal be held by the dealer for 15 days before payment is issued, allowing police time to investigate if the material had been stolen.

City staff have been asked to get input from legitimate dealers, Sarnia police and the clerk’s department, and report back to council.

It was discovered In April that conduits containing copper had been cut from under the marina docks, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages.