06 September 2010 15:17 Reward offered to catch dangerous copper thieves
Central Networks is offering a £1,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of anyone responsible for attacks on high voltage pylons in Gloucestershire.
These dangerous attacks on the electricity network have seen thieves scaling large pylons to steal copper cabling in Saul and Lydney.
Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager for Central Networks, said: "This is a really disturbing series of incidents. People unfortunately risk their lives to break into substations and cut down wooden power poles, but scaling a pylon is a first for us and it's a very concerning development.
"Climbing a pylon which is carrying 33,000 volts of electricity is taking a gamble on your life. And not only is it incredibly stupid, but by stealing the copper cabling it's taking away vital safety equipment which regulates the amount of electricity travelling into people's homes.
"We take these attacks very seriously and we want to see the perpetrators caught and brought to justice. At some of the pylons, overhead lines have been left dangling in a very dangerous manner, and our engineers have had to carry out extensive repairs."
Sergeant Kirk Harrison from the local policing team in Saul said: "These thefts are being thoroughly investigated and we are eager to see the offenders brought to justice. We'd like to urge the community to help with our investigation by reporting any suspicious activity they may have seen around the pylons or substations to us. You can also give information anonymously by calling CrimeStoppers."
A £1,000 reward is on offer for information leading to a conviction relating to the attacks on pylons which run from Lydney to Netherhills via Blakeney, Awre, across the river Severn, and through Arlingham and Frampton:
- In Saul, six pylons carrying 33,000 volts had five spans of copper earthing stolen, and inspections found further sections of earth wire stolen
- In Lydney, four pylons carrying 33,000 volts had three spans of copper earthing stolen.
Anyone with information about any of these cases is urged to contact Gloucestershire police on 0845 090 1234 or call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.
Ends
Notes to editors:
- Central Networks provides a reliable supply to 10 million people in central England through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables - enough to go round the Earth more than three times - and via almost 94,000 substations.
- Central Networks covers an area from the Peak District in the north to parts of Bristol in the south, and from the Welsh Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.
For further information contact:
Alisha Allen on 02476 192 063