Case Studies

Partners against metal theft

by Mark Rowe

The 0800 crime-reporting line charity Crimestoppers has renewed the partnership with a regional electricity distributor to help protect the electricity power network from metal theft.

Northern Powergrid, which serves the North East, Yorkshire and north Lincolnshire, has worked with Crimestoppers since 2011 seeking to raise public awareness of the risk to public safety and the disruption caused to power supplies by deliberate criminal damage. The aim is for the community to report anonymously suspicions of intrusion or theft near electricity network property.

West Yorkshire alone has seen more than 50 attacks by thieves on the electricity overhead line network in recent weeks with thousands of homes and businesses losing power and cut cables left hanging close to public highways. Northern Powergrid’s Field Operations Director Nick Gill said: “We have formed a close working relationship with Crimestoppers and are pleased to be renewing our partnership. Metal thieves do not care about the lives of the innocent people they put at risk or the disruption they cause when they interfere with power supplies. Together with Crimestoppers, we urge the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity they see around the electricity network.”

And Crimestoppers’ Director of Development, Rodger Holden said: “Crimes that affect them also affect the public including metal theft which causes power cuts affecting thousands of communities each year. Metal theft causes significant disruption for many as well as putting those involved at considerable physical risk. We look forward to continuing our support to Northern Powergrid in raising awareness of this crime and its dangers as well as encouraging the communities to speak up about metal theft anonymously via the secure online form or by calling 0800 555 111.”

A video interview with Crimestoppers speaking about the partnership can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtiJQ3jK_bg

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