Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, is warning people to stay away from its substations following a number of incidents across the East Midlands in which thieves put their lives at risk by stealing copper cabling.

In five separate incidents this week across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, thieves broke into key substations and ripped out vital safety equipment.

Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager with Central Networks, said: “This type of vandalism, which not only puts the thieves’ lives but also the lives of others in danger, is both inconsiderate and foolish.

“Ignoring safety warnings about the dangers at our substations could result in vandals being seriously injured, badly burned or even electrocuted. These actions really aren’t worth the risk.”

 Incidents in the area in June already include:

June 2

·         1,187 customers lost power for one and a half hours in Derbyshire after thieves broke into a Central Networks substation carrying 11,000 volts to steal copper cabling. On leaving the site in Darley Dale, the thieves left the substation doors open.

June 3

·         In Leicestershire thieves forced entry at a site on Evington Valley Road. High voltage cabling was also stolen but no customers’ supplies were lost.

·         Vandals disconnected cabling, carrying 33,000 volts, at a substation in Corby, Northamptonshire. No customers lost power as a result of this incident.

·         In Nottinghamshire, at a site in Mansfield subject to previous copper thefts, thieves selectively stole equipment which would have no effect on customers’ supplies. In Newark an isolated customer lost supply for over 10 hours after earthing was stolen.

This reckless action of thieves targeting electricity substations has already led to a number of serious injuries, with thousands of customers temporarily losing their energy supply throughout the region this year.

Central Networks, which supplies power to 4.9 million customers from Lincolnshire to the Welsh borders, works closely with the charity Crimestoppers, and 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 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 each day 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:

Victoria Blake on 02476 181 304

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.