23 March 2005 00:00 Central Networks issue safety warning after deliberate damage to electricity cable in Derbyshire

Someone in Derbyshire is lucky to be alive today after they deliberately cut through a high voltage electricity cable with a hacksaw, leaving hundreds of customers off supply.

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, has issued urgent advice, highlighting the dangers posed by high voltage cables and kit.

Network and Public Safety Manager Stephen Hennell, said: “I’m absolutely amazed that anyone would attempt to try and cut one of our cables with a hacksaw and just can’t think of any reason why someone would want to do it.

“The cable carries 11,000 volts – whoever did this is extremely lucky to be alive and, for all we know, they might have been seriously hurt.”

Central Networks were made aware of the incident when over 1,600 customers went off supply for just over an hour at 17.15pm on Sunday 6th March. Engineers made the area safe and repaired the cable.

”Our engineers did a great job getting everyone back on so quickly,” said Stephen.

“But you can imagine their amazement when they found a hacksaw next to the cable.”

The engineers immediately informed Derbyshire Police, who are carrying out an investigation, and local hospitals in the area were advised to call the police if they treated an emergency case with electrical burns.

“This was a senseless act which caused unnecessary disruption to our customers on Mothering Sunday, when many families were enjoying an afternoon together.“ said Stephen.

Anyone with information about the incident should call Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 33 33.

Ends

Notes to editors:
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.8 million customers across the East and West Midlands 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 Borders to the Lincolnshire Coast.

For further information contact:
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 5779
Kathy Doyle on 024 7642 4292
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