‘Reckless’ metal thieves putting lives at risk

Metal thieves are being branded reckless after a series of attacks on the electricity network in South, North and West Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire.

By The Newsroom

Published 17th Mar 2014, 01:05 BST

Since the turn of 2014, there have been a total of 23 incidents in the Harrogate, Hebden Bridge and Mablethorpe areas alone, with eight kilometres of high voltage and low voltage overhead cable stolen in total. A further 22 incidents have also occurred in the same period, spread randomly across other areas of Yorkshire and north Lincolnshire.

Hundreds of homes and businesses have lost power as a result and in many cases cut power lines have been left dangling dangerously close to public highways and footpaths and in other cases left lying on the ground.

Northern Powergrid is appealing to anyone with information to get in touch.

Mick Hickling, Head of Network Repairs said: “The consequences of an adult or child innocently coming into contact with these damaged cables before our staff are alerted doesn’t bear thinking about.”

Call police on 101 or Crimestoppers can anonymously on 0800 555111.