Clampdown on metal thieves in Stockton causing chaos to thousands of homes and businesses

A major campaign is being launched today against metal thieves causing huge disruption to towns and villages in Stockton.

So far this year raiders have attacked Northern Powergrid’s electricity network 20 times, causing power cuts for some 5,000 residents.

Around 5,000 metres of live high-voltage copper cabling has been taken from the local power network costing Northern Powergrid £600,000 to replace and repair.

Crimestoppers and Northern Powergrid have now joined forces in a campaign to highlight the misery and disruption metal thieves can cause for communities and businesses when they steal from the electricity network.

The aim is to to highlight the impact of the crime, and through social media appeal for anonymous information about criminals.

The campaign, which will run across a 25 mile radius of Stockton, also aims to increase awarenes how metal theft can disrupt the power network that delivers electricity to people’s door and urges people to be vigilant.

Disruption in the home includes loss of lighting and heating, cooking and washing facilities disrupted.

Street lights and traffic lights can stop working leading to darkness and traffic jams, industry production lines cease and businesses and shops may have to temporarily stop trading.

Metal thefts have plunged Eaglescliffe-based car parts manufacturer, Nifco, into darkness seven times, meaning plant machines, shop floor workers and office staff were unable to do their jobs.

These disruptions cost Nifco up to £10,000 each hour in lost productivity and cost Northern Powergrid large sums of money in repairs to the network.

There is also a real safety concern of electrocution to anyone coming too close to damaged electrical equipment which has been interfered with by metal thieves.

This can include members of the public, the emergency services and livestock – as well as endangering Northern Powergrid staff. Thieves also affect businesses such as shops and pubs.

Dave Hunter, Crimestoppers regional manager, said: “The mass disruption for all affected, be it businesses, communities or households, and the effect this is having on local industry, cannot continue. We need members of the public to shed some light on who is responsible for these crimes where they have any information, so that we can prevent you from being left in the dark.”

Nigel Walker, Northern Powergrid’s vulnerable assets manager, said: “Information from local people may just be the key to help catch the culprits.

“By working together with residents and local partners we can help prevent further metal theft crime and stop more power cuts affecting community life, local businesses and the economy.”

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://bit.ly/1zerQId .