25 February 2010 16:04 Central Networks issues safety warning after underground cable hit with shovel in Derbyshire

Central Networks, the electricity distribution company for central England, has today (THURS) issued its second safety warning in Derbyshire this month after evidence of cable tampering was uncovered yesterday.

Engineers found a shovel and gas lamp at the base of a pole and discovered that an underground cable had been tampered with while investigating the source of a power cut to customers in Ambaston.

Phil Wilson, Customer Operations Manager for Central Networks, said: "The cable that was damaged supplied power to a disused industrial site so this was probably an attempt to steal copper. Whoever did this probably thought that the cable wasn't live - but in fact it was and they are lucky not to  have been killed.

"Anyone who attempts to interfere with the power network is risking a death sentence - unfortunately the message doesn't seem to be getting through.

"Earlier this month, somebody attacked a substation in Somercotes with an axe."

Police are investigating the incident which disrupted power to five customers for 11 hours while emergency repairs were carried out.

Anyone who has information about vandalism to or theft of Central Networks property is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

Ends

Notes to editors:

• Central Networks brings power to 9.4 million people 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.

For further information contact: