Network’s copper stolen

Invercargill: Thieves in search of copper have targeted Southland’s electricity network.

A statement released by PowerNet yesterday confirmed a spate of copper thefts recently around rural sites in the region.

Chief operating officer Justin Peterson said several network equipment sites had been identified over the past week.

‘‘We have had a number of sites on The Power Company network where earth wire running down the pole had been removed resulting in electricity equipment being left extremely unsafe.’’

Earth equipment provides a form of electrical protection, without which people and property were exposed to unnecessary risk.

‘‘We have dispatched PowerNet inspection teams from Gore and Invercargill to check all network equipment in the area. Any faults found will be urgently repaired by our faults teams.’’