Reward of up to £1,000 offered to help bring metal thieves to justice

A reward has been offered to help find thieves who put lives in danger when they stole overhead power cables near Eaglescliffe.

The incident is the latest in a series of cable thefts on Teesside.

Northern Powergrid in partnership with Crimestoppers is offering a reward of up to £1,000 for any information which helps lead to the arrest and charging of those responsible.

The latest incident happened last night at about 9pm in the Urlay Nook Road area.

Thieves stole 50 metres of 33,000 volt overhead power line cabling endangering the public by leaving the damaged high voltage electricity cables hanging loose and close to the ground.

Bosses at Northern Powergrid say they believe the incident is linked to previous thefts in the area however no further details of the other alleged offences have been provided.

They say the latest incident will cost “several thousand pounds” to repair.

Nigel Walker, Northern Powergrid’s vulnerable assets manager, said: “This is the latest in a series of incidents within a 15 mile area since June and we believe the same thieves are responsible.

“The thieves don’t care about the lives they’re endangering or local communities they affect.

“We are working very closely with Cleveland Police to stop these criminal acts.

“Fortunately on this occasion no one was hurt and we were able to ensure local customers’ electricity supply were not affected, but the risks they are taking to steal a few hundred pounds of copper show they just do not care. If a member of the public was to have even come close to the hanging cable they would have been electrocuted.

The power distribution company has secured the area to ensure no local people are at risk and repair work is being carried out.

Northern Powergrid said anyone who saw any suspicious activity should contact its emergency 24-hour number 0800 66 88 77, the police on 101 quoting Crime number 224907 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A reward of up to £1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and charge.

A Cleveland Police spokeswoman said: “We are investigating a number of cable thefts in the area and would ask any witnesses or anyone who may have information regarding these thefts or those responsible to contact police on 101.”