Sub-station cable warning after theft causes Dearne power failure

POLICE have warned of the dangers of tampering with electricity substations after thieves stole steel covers and tried to cut through cables in Adwick-upon-Dearne.

Officers attended a break-in at Harlington Road at 3.20am on October 2 after Northern Powergrid received reports of a power failure, which left 750 homes without power for four hours.

Acting Insp Wayne Goodwin, regional co-ordinator for metal theft, said: “The theft of metal from substations is a foolhardy act.

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“Offenders who target live sites are not only risking their own lives for something of very little value but their crime can cause wider disruption.

“I would urge anyone with information about the incident to call police immediately.”

Mick Hickling, Northern Powergrid’s head of repairs, said: “This is a mindless attack by thieves on the power network, leaving a large number of our customers without power.

“The cable they have attempted to take is financially worth very little, yet the cost of repairing the damage is significant and the inconvenience caused to our customers is substantial.”

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call South Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 89 of  October 2, 2013.