North Yorkshire Police and CE Electric UK are asking the public to be vigilant as thefts of copper cable increase.
The warning comes following a spate of thefts in the Selby area including two in the Monk Fryston area in the same week. Residents were left without power for several hours after thieves stole 250 metres of cable on 24 August and another 250 metres on 31 August.
The thieves are cutting through live electric cables leaving live wires exposed which presents a serious danger to members of the public.
Police are asking members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour in the areas of substations or pylons.
The thieves usually arrive during the night and often use white transit-type vans which appear similar to those used by electricity companies, leading people to believe that legitimate work is being carried out.
Inspector Chris Witty of Selby police said: “Around 3,000 metres of cable has been stolen in the Selby area, the cost of replacement and repair runs into tens of thousands of pounds. Although the financial aspect is a problem, the risk to members of the public is of great concern to us.
“As well as overhead cables, thieves have stolen wire leading to homes leaving dangerous wires exposed. We urge people to be vigilant and don’t go near any cut cables or those hanging down from overhead lines. It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt or worse.
“In addition to the school safety programme CE Electric UK carry out at local schools, parents should ensure they educate their children about dangers of exposed cables, in particular those who walk to school in rural areas. We urge members of the public to report any suspicious activity or vehicles to the police.”
Paul Norton, head of safety at CE Electric UK added: “The thieves are lucky to get away, seemingly without injury, and we are working with the police to help them with their investigations and to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“In the past three years, we have seen people lose their lives and many more receive horrific electrical burn injuries after trying to steal cables, power lines and other components from our network.
“We are asking local residents to be vigilant of any suspicious behaviour and to contact the police immediately or to contact our emergency number on 0800 375 675.”
Two thieves have already been hospitalised in other parts of the region after receiving massive electric shocks inside electricity sub-stations. Others are suspected to have been injured without seeking proper medical treatment.
Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 0845 60 60 247. Or, you can call Crimestoppers and give information anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Locations targeted in the last month include:
Barlow
Snaith
Ledston
Burton Salmon
West Haddlesey
Featherstone
Whitley
Selby
Wakefield
Following a separate incident, two West Yorkshire men were arrested just before 4.30am on Monday 6 September in connection with a number of thefts of copper cable. The men were arrested in their vehicle on the road between Womersley and Criddling Stubbs. This followed reports from members of the public that they had seen a white Ford Transit panel van acting suspiciously.
They are a 22-year-old from Pontefract and a 34-year-old from Castleford.
