Police are investigating a spate of copper and brass thefts in the Waikouaiti area.
Constable Lesley Eason, of Waikouaiti, said copper and brass fittings at the former Cherry Farm nurses' residence at the Hawkesbury Estate, near Karitane, were taken on Tuesday night.
Most fittings, including more than 100 door handles, were taken from the left wing.
The ground floor was flooded after brass fittings were taken from fire hose reels.
Door handles and brass plates were taken.
Plywood was removed from above baths as the thieves checked for copper pipes.
The material was estimated to be worth several thousand dollars.
"It must have taken a very long time, and it's likely two people or more people were involved," Const Eason said. The theft was reported by a builder working on the premises yesterday morning.
Residents of the other wing heard nothing.
Copper and brass fittings had been taken from the building in the past year and copper spouting from storage units a month ago.
In September last year, an estimated $7000 and $10,000 of copper spouting and downpipes were taken from two McGrath Rd villas, formerly used as forensic psychology wards.
Last week, about 80m of copper spouting was taken from the Waikouaiti racecourse, and in recent months copper toilet cisterns were taken from racecourse buildings, Const Eason said.
