26 March 2008 13:14 Central Networks supports Police spot-checks for Staffordshire workers to tackle rise in copper thefts

The local force will now be stopping and questioning people seen working on power lines or electricity cables in the county after there were almost a dozen incidents on the electricity network in March, where hundreds of metres of cable were cut from wooden poles, some in broad daylight.

In one incident, thieves ripped down power lines from poles just yards from a Stoke-on-Trent primary school. The four 200m lengths of copper cabling, which were powering street lighting, were taken from Norton Lane, Stoke-on-Trent, on the morning of Sunday 9^th March.

"Just because someone looks to have the right equipment for the job and is wearing the correct safety clothing, it doesn't necessarily mean they are working for the good of the public," said Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager with Central Networks

"Our job is to keep the power on and we welcome any move to stop these callous and greedy individuals who not only risk their own lives but show absolutely no thought for the distress caused to the people affected by the power cuts they cause."

Incidents in the last few weeks include:

• A number of industrial units were left without power on the afternoon of Monday, 24^th March when ten separate sections of overhead lines were taken from the Queensway Industrial Estate on Longbridge Road, Stoke-on-Trent;
• A total of 159 customers lost power when 1,400 metres of overhead power line was stolen from ten poles in the Forsbrook area of Stoke-on-Trent on Tuesday morning, March 18^th;
• Engineers had to restore power to a further 93 customers after about 500 metres of copper cabling was pulled down in the Goldenhill area of Stoke on Monday morning, March 17^th;
• On March 12^th, 33 homes were left without power from 3.30am when 650 metres of low-voltage cable was stolen from the overhead network on Ball Lane, Stoke;
• Power lines suspended between three poles were taken from Armshead Road, Stoke, at lunchtime on March 11^th, leaving a further 40 customers without electricity for 12 hours;
• In Monkhopton, Bridgnorth, four customers were cut off when thieves took 300 metres of cable in the early hours of February 13^th.

Staffordshire Police is investigating all incidents. Any witnesses, or if anybody has been offered metal for sale in suspicious circumstances, is asked to call 08453 30 20 10.

Chief Inspector Dave Mellor, crime manager for Stoke-on-Trent Division, said: "We are aware of the ongoing incidents and all officers have been briefed to monitor the area during their routine, high visibility activities.

"Officers will verify the identification of any person that they reasonably consider it necessary to challenge, but will always be mindful of safety."

The reckless - and potentially deadly - actions of thieves targeting power lines and electricity substations have already led to two fatalities, a number of serious injuries and more than 50,000 customers temporarily losing their electricity supply throughout the region.

Central Networks, which supplies power to 4.9 million customers from Lincolnshire to the Welsh borders, works closely with the charity Crimestoppers, which is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution and conviction of those responsible.

Individuals who wish to provide information about who is committing these crimes can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks brings power to 4.9 million customers across central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables and via almost 97,000 substations;
• Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Boarders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
• Crimestoppers is the only charity dedicated to solving crimes and taking criminals off the streets. Around 17 people are arrested and charged every day as a result of information given to Crimestoppers. One person is charged with murder every five days, as a result of information given to Crimestoppers;
• Crimestoppers also runs the Most Wanted website www.mostwanted-uk.org where people can give information about suspected criminals anonymously online;
• Since Crimestoppers began in 1988, it has had over 850,000 calls. There have been over 75,000 arrests, over £95m property has been recovered and over £130m worth of drugs has been seized.

For further information contact:
Andrew Barrow on 024 7618 3677