14 June 2007 07:00 Central Networks reports vandalism increase at its substations across the Midlands

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, has reported a big jump in copper thefts over the last month, with incidents across the Midlands causing problems for thousands of customers.

Earlier this year Central Networks joined forces with the charity Crimestoppers to offer a reward of up to £1,000, for information leading to the successful prosecution and conviction of those responsible.

Alan Raymant, Director of Operations and Asset Management at Central Networks, said: “Despite our continued warnings, two deaths and a number of serious injuries, we’re still seeing incidents increasing.

“These criminals are smashing their way into our substations and breaking into our vital equipment with little regard for their own lives or for the huge inconvenience they’re causing our customers.

“With over 97,000 substations across central England it’s a problem for us and it’s a problem that our colleagues have to deal with around the country.
“We’re working closely with the Police and we’ve put a number of security measures in place, including CCTV, to make life as difficult as possible for the thieves.

“But we’d also like our customers to act as our eyes and ears and we’d always encourage anyone who sees something suspicious going on at our substations to call the police immediately.”

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

Incidents of recent substation vandalism include:

• April 30 – Three substations in the Shrewsbury area were attacked within the space of a few hours with significant amounts of copper earthing tape stolen from each;
• May 11 – Vandals smashed their way into a substation in Stone, Staffordshire and ripped out most of the copper earthing tape;
• May 12 – A Central Networks engineer carrying out routine checks discovered copper earthing tape had been removed from a substation in Telford;
• May 15 – Thieves broke into a substation in Wolverhampton and stripped the site of all copper earthing tape, causing a small fire which resulted in 2,800 customers being without power for three hours;
• May 16 – Thieves seriously damaged equipment in a substation in Mansfield in an unsuccessful attempt to steal copper;
• May 17 - Intruders broke into a primary substation in Nottingham and stole a quantity of copper earthing tape, temporarily affecting supplies for local customers;
• May 25 – A man was observed wearing a high visibility vest and acting suspiciously next to a substation in Annesley, Nottinghamshire. When he realised he was being watched he left the scene, but not before Central Networks staff managed to record his car registration details. It was later confirmed that he had been attempting to steal copper earthing tape from the site;
• June 7 – Thieves forced their way into a substation in Willesley, Derbyshire and ripped out copper earthing tape;
• June 7 – In the process of breaking into a substation in Northampton, thieves smashed a lock and cut down three British Telecom poles though they were unable to remove any copper.

Ends

Notes to editors:
• Central Networks is the new name for Midlands Electricity and East Midlands Electricity. The company brings power to 4.9 million customers across the East and West Midlands through 133,000km of underground and overhead cables – enough to go round the Earth almost four times – 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;
• 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:
Jamee Majid on 024 7618 3679
A selection of Central Networks pictures is available free of charge to the media by registering at www.newscast.co.uk and looking under Distribution