Dangerous thefts in the Waipā area
Wires, fuses and wiring stolen from power networks
Waipā Networks has had 45 instances of theft across its network in the past two months. The perpetrators are taking earth wires, fuses, and wiring.
Waipā Networks is working alongside the police, due to the increasing number of thefts which began in August this year.
“The incidents occur right across the Waipā network region, there has been more insistence in Te Awamutu. But it is also occurring in Cambridge,” says Anna Greenhill, Waipā Networks head of customer and community engagement.
There is the possibility of this issue being widespread and the local electricity network provider is in discussions with other lines companies.
This theft poses a significant risk, not only to the power supply but also
to the criminals themselves.
People taking the wires from the poles are cutting them off while they are live.
“It is a public safety risk because
you never know if there is a glitch or fault with the wiring or line that could cause electrocution. The consequence of this could be disastrous for them,” says Greenhill.
Greenhill says the requirement that earthing wire is needed is to ensure the safety and security of the network.
“The wires contain copper, and this is the reason for the thieves to cut, stripped and sold,” says Greenhill.
It is presumed they will be selling the copper to scrap metal traders.
“I am not even sure how lucrative selling copper is these days, so we are unsure how much they are getting for the wires,” adds Greenhill.
Greenhill says that these incidents have caused Waipā Networks to go around fixing the network assets and constantly patrol them.
“Police told us that people could be wearing Hi-Vis clothing and drive a white vehicle or ute, so that it looks like they should be at the pole, and people do not immediately notice. We are urging that people make sure it is our vehicles near the poles, they are distinct and have a lot of branding on them. If it is not one of our vehicles please call us,” says Greenhill.
Greenhill says someone did witness someone and they were not wearing Hi-Vis or in a white vehicle leading Waipā Networks to be unsure if thieves are trying to disguise themselves.
But they are still urging the public to make sure it is their staff at the poles, and if people are unsure to contact Waipā Networks.