North Wales Police is working closely with electricity company ScottishPower to crackdown on cable thefts.

ScottishPower has reiterated a safety warning to would-be metal thieves after a large number of thefts in the Flint area over the last three weeks.

Metal theft is on the rise across Britain, and energy companies and other industries are working with the authorities to track down the gangs and individuals responsible. These desperate actions not only jeopardise the reliability of electricity supplies, but increasingly put lives at risk.

Andy Stubbs, Zone Manager at ScottishPower said: “This type of theft is becoming too common and has a major impact on the wider community. Although no homes directly lost power on this occasion, it is important all our equipment is in service so we can maintain a good quality of electricity supply to all of our customers who depend on our service, including schools and hospitals.

“Those involved in carrying out these thefts are showing little regard for their own safety, the safety of the public and that of our employees. Doors to sub stations have been left open following these thefts, which is  a real danger to anyone who may enter the substation, let alone our employees who are trained in safety procedures.

“We are working closely with North Wales police in order to prevent the number of thefts from substations and to catch those who are responsible.”

Inspector Jeff Moses, District Inspector for North Flintshire, said the theft of copper cable from electricity sub-stations in the Flint area is an on going problem.

He said; “Thieves are showing a complete disregard for safety in committing these crimes. 

“We are taking significant measures to combat the problem and I would appeal to anyone who has information which may help us to contact us.

“If anyone notices that a substation has been broken they should report it and under no circumstances should they enter the structure as the equipment poses a serious danger to anyone not trained to deal with it.

“I would also urge parents and guardians to make sure children keep away from substations.”

ScottishPower is willing to pay a reward to anyone who provides credible information to help secure a criminal conviction. Our confidential hotline on 0800 027 1950 is open 24 hours a day.

North Wales Police can be contacted on 101 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Media Information: Paul Ferguson, 0141 614 4535 / 07702 665 924