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Daring electricity cable thefts shock villagers

Pete Bainbridge
25/ 6/2008

THIEVES have been risking fatal electric shocks to steal more than a MILE of live electricity cable in a series of night time thefts around rural Macclesfield.

Contractors United Utilities said criminals were even using CHAINSAWS to cut down poles, and steal the overhead lines for the valuable copper inside.

The company reported five incidents of wiring being stolen, including from the areas of Bosley, Marton, and Gawsworth – totalling 4.9miles of copper in 1.24miles of cable – and all taking place at night.

The break in the lines axed power to around 50 properties.

United Utilities believe the culprits may be posing as engineers to avoid being caught, and have urged residents to ring police if they are suspicious about any workers in the area. Police are now investigating the thefts.

Mark Williamson, operations manager at United Utilities, said: "This issue is of major concern. By tampering with overhead lines, these thieves are putting themselves at risk of fatal electric shock, endangering the public, and disrupting power supply.

"On several occasions our engineers came across discarded conductors left sparking on the ground, which could have caused serious injury if handled.

"There is a possibility that the thieves are posing as engineers. If residents are in any doubt, we’d ask them to contact us, so that we can verify if the work is genuine."

Electrical engineers repairing or maintaining overhead lines carry United Utilities identity cards. When non-emergency work is scheduled for an area, residents will receive advanced notice, via a letter.

Mr Williamson added: "United Utilities is committed to providing a safe and secure service for its customers.

"The company works closely with national industry bodies and police forces across the North West to review security issues and share best practice."

Inspector Gareth Woods, Head of Macclesfield’s Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: "It’s a strange crime, and shows what lengths people are willing to go to to make money."

To contact United Utilities about electricity supply issues, customers can call 0800 1954141.