Three teenagers suspected to be Ghana Water Company (GWC) metre thieves are to face the Agona West Municipal Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. The three, aged between 14 and 15 years, were arrested at Wawase about 2:00p.m on Monday, October 17, 2011 for allegedly stealing a water meter at a house. They claimed to be scrap metal collectors but two meters were found in their bags. They told the police that they were pupils of Swedru Methodist, Salvation and Anglican junior high schools and reside at Assisim, Manhodwe and Ankyease, all suburbs of Agona Swedru. The Agona West Municipal Commander of Police, Deputy Superintendent Shaibu Osei and the Ghana Water Company's Municipal Customer Care Officer, Mr Emmanuel Baah Achamfour, briefed the Daily Graphic about the issue. Present at the briefing was Mr Napoleon Appiah Dadson, the Central Regional Communications Director of GWC. Deputy Superintendent Shaibu said some residents of Wawase apprehended the three teenagers while they were removing a water meter. Investigations so far have revealed that the three teenagers go round, ostensibly to collect scrap metal for sale. However, the three allegedly conspired to remove water meters which are believed to contain a metal more costly than other scrap metals but they were arrested and taken to the police station. The teenagers admitted stealing the meters and selling them to scrap dealers in Swedru and are currently on bail to appear in court on Tuesday. According to DSP Shaibu, police investigations have been extended to scrap dealers in the municipality who buy stolen state property. He advised parents to take keen interest in the activities of their children, and ensure that the children do not become truants and miscreants in their communities. The police, he said, would not spare any teenager brought to the station for stealing because it seems to us that these children are organised and trained by adult criminals to engage in nefarious activities in the town after their parents have neglected them”. Commander Shaibu appealed to chiefs, opinion leaders, assembly members and corporate bodies to fully cooperate with his command to establish community watchdog committees since both the human and logistical support of the service are overstretched.