Eskom says security contractor must be able to probe organised crime

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ESKOM is looking for a contractor with a team of sleuth-like investigators to gather intelligence‚ analyse forensic evidence and probe organised-crime networks across the country.

Security contractors have until mid-August to furnish the power provider with evidence of their expertise‚ according to a recently issued tender for “security crime investigations”.

The contract calls for experienced investigators with access to “suitable camera equipment to monitor targeted areas‚ surveillance equipment and cellphone software analysing equipment‚ to analyse confiscated cellphones for investigation purposes”.

They would also need to be plugged into a network of experienced informers.

Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said on Friday that the tender was advertised to tackle crimes against the parastatal‚ including electricity theft‚ in the form of illegal connections‚ meter tampering‚ bypassing and stolen pre-paid electricity credit dispensing units.

“Eskom is experiencing incidents of armed robberies at the substations and customer network centres. The criminals are targeting these sites for cables‚ copper components and‚ in certain instances‚ the arms of the guards‚” he said.

 

Phasiwe added that “criminals are involved in the illegal sales of prepaid electricity”.

Eskom’s annual integrated report for 2016 showed that meter audits had resulted in R372m being billed to large and small power customers‚ “to recover revenue unbilled owing to meter tampers‚ faulty or vandalised metering installations or customers not correctly loaded on the system”.

Fines of R33m were extracted from prepaid customers who had tampered with their electricity meters, and 3,565 tipoffs regarding electricity theft were received from the public.

Phasiwe said that surveillance equipment was needed to “combat the armed robberies and provide an early warning for attempted thefts”.

Software to analyse cell phones would be used against criminals involved in the illegal sales of electricity using “ghost vending machines”‚ which generated a 20-digit code required to recharge customers’ electricity meters.

But it does not end there. Contractors must have bulletproof vests‚ firearms and communication systems.

Eskom executives are under fire for being eligible for performance bonuses worth millions while electricity tariffs rise sharply for consumers. Unions have voiced their displeasure over a proposed 7% wage increase at the parastatal.

Other specifications for tasks to be undertaken include organised-crime investigations; intelligence-based investigations; investigations related to arson‚ sabotage‚ armed robbery and hijacking; and firearm and ammunition related anomalies.

In addition, the winning bidder should be familiar with the identification and tracing of illicit financial transactions and funds, and interviewing and questioning witnesses and suspects.

Other capabilities required include compiling affidavits and taking statements; forensic crime analysis and collaboration with law enforcement agencies such as the police‚ the National Prosecuting Authority and South African Revenue Service.

Source: Business Day Live

Evacuation of Eurostar after ‘transformer fire’.

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Image from Wikipedia

France: The passengers in Eurostar have been evacuated outside Paris after a fire had broken out in one of the transformers which affected its service log.

Eurostar apologised for the ES9051 stopping outside Paris and explained that they are investigating the cause of the fire.

One spokesman also said: “Eurostar trains were held due to a problem on the tracks outside Gare du Nord, impacting all traffic in the area.

The delay was caused by a ‘malicious act‘ was said in a tweet by the French transport ministry.

Source: Mirror

Electricity substation metal theft reward offered

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A REWARD of as much as £10,000 is being offered to anyone who can provide information to help convict thieves who steal metal from electricity substations.

A new Copped It advertising campaign by ScottishPower Energy Networks highlights the potentially fatal consequences of thefts in and around substations and power lines. A maximum reward of £10,000 will be given to any member of the public whose information leads to the conviction of someone stealing metal from ScottishPower.

The campaign has been launched in response to a surge in thefts and attempted thefts of metal, with 1,435 such incidents recorded at the company’s substations since January 2011, ScottishPower said. According to the firm, this has resulted in 140,000 homes put at increased risk of damage, 50,000 homes in Glasgow losing power for 30 minutes in November 2011 and the death of a 43-year-old man in July this year after an attempted theft from a substation in Lanarkshire. Around 11,000 hours have been spent on repairs and reinforcements, ScottishPower said.

ScottishPower Energy Networks is the licensed electricity distributor for central and southern Scotland and for Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire, with 30,000 substations, 40,000km overhead lines and 70,000km underground cables. Frank Mitchell, chief executive of ScottishPower Energy Networks, said: “The worrying reality of this kind of criminal behaviour is the serious impact it can have on local communities.

“As well as continuing to increase our own security and working closely with the police, we want to raise awareness of the threats posed by these kinds of thefts and we want to encourage people in communities to report any suspicious behaviour they see beside our power lines and substations. “We are happy to pay rewards for information that leads to criminal convictions, and we want to work closely with communities to help catch the criminals responsible for this dangerous activity.” Any suspicious activity can be reported to ScottishPower via its 24-hour response line on 08452 727 999.

Source: The Scotsman

ScottishPower Offers Record £20k Reward For Information On Power Line Thefts

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Dangerous criminals targeting overhead power lines across Scotland have been urged to stop before their actions lead to someone being killed.

Following a spate of reckless thefts, ScottishPower has warned that it is only a matter of time before a life is lost, and has set aside a record £20,000 to provide individual rewards to those who offer information, which directly leads to the successful conviction for theft of those involved in the offence. Around 20 similar incidents have been reported across Central Scotland in just over two weeks, with thieves targeting power lines in farms and rural locations. The criminals are engaging in highly dangerous behaviour that could lead to death by cutting down live power lines that can carry up to 11,000 volts of electricity, and their actions could cause fires in nearby properties, or even cause traffic accidents if brought down near roads.

Recent incidents have been recorded in South and Central Scotland, including Milngavie, Dalry, Shotts, Falkirk, Kilbarchan, Larkhall and Slamannan. In one incident a power line was brought down across a road, and was struck by a truck, causing a temporary power cut for 1,500 homes. A theft in 2013 from a substation in Greenock last year resulted in two serious house fires and more than 200 properties experiencing an extended power outage, whilst engineers checked each individual property for safety. In 2011, a botched cable theft in Glasgow saw a 30 minute power outage for 50,000 properties in the Southside.

Guy Jefferson, Network Operations Director at SP Energy Networks, said: “These recent thefts have been deeply concerning, and we are closely working with Police Scotland to catch those responsible. I’d urge anyone who spots suspicious behaviour near our power lines to report what they have seen to the Police. The thefts can also cause power interruptions, which are a major inconvenience. In the event of any power supply problems, the sooner they are reported to our hotline, the quicker we can respond. “Metal theft is one of the biggest threats to the safety of the electricity network, and the impact of these crimes can be devastating.

In recent years we have witnessed house fires and damaged electrical appliances in homes. One man died recently attempting to steal copper from an electricity pole in Lanarkshire, and others have suffered horrific burns, loss of limbs and scarring. Unfortunately it seems like the thieves don’t care about the risk to their own lives, and they certainly show no regard for the safety of neighbouring properties. “We continue to increase our own security measures, and work closely with the Police and other industries affected by this crime. Our key objective is to operate a safe and reliable electricity network, and we hope that planned changes to legislation will help to stop these criminals who don’t care about the damage they inflict on communities.”

The stolen metal typically ends up being passed through dishonest scrap merchants, on the way to being exported around the world. New proposed legislation will prevent scrap metal dealers paying cash for materials, which will block the criminal gangs from selling their stolen metal. At the beginning of the month (6th August) ScottishPower Energy Networks met with Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP, to discuss the tougher sanctions against metal theft that are proposed as part of new legislation. The new legislation will aid the efforts of Police Scotland and other agencies, who have been targeting the criminal gangs and the small band of dishonest scrap dealers for many years with a variety of specialist operations and investigations.

Speaking at the start of the month, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, Kenny MacAskill MSP, said: “Metal theft is simply not a victimless crime. As recent incidents have shown, the actions of a selfish minority create unnecessary cost, danger and disruption for the rest of the community. “That is why the Scottish Government is bringing in tough new legislation to address metal theft, ensuring that all dealers are licensed and eliminating cash payments. We are also introducing better record keeping and identity checks to tackle this widespread problem. “By reducing the outlets for stolen metal and the lure of ready cash we believe we can remove the incentive to steal.

“With tough legislation and enforcement, and continued work with police, companies like ScottishPower and the majority of reputable metal dealers, we believe we can end this crime.”

ScottishPower is encouraging anyone who can provide information on the recent spate of thefts to either contact the Police, or to call the company’s 24 hour hotline on 0800 092 9290. The company is willing to set aside a record £20,000 to provide individual rewards to those who offer information, which directly leads to the successful conviction for theft of those involved in the offence.

Metal theft statistics:

• More than 850 thefts since January 2011

• Recent incidents have been recorded across Central and Southern Scotland including Milngavie, Dalry, Falkirk, Shotts, Kilbarchan, Larkhall, Crossford and Slamannan

• Over 70,000 homes exposed to increased risks of faults or potential damage

• Over 6,000 man-hours spent on repairs and reinforcements

• 50,000 homes in Glasgow lost power supplies for 30 minutes in November 2011 after an attempted theft

• 2 serious house fires in Greenock in November 2013 after a theft from a substation. More than 200 homes experienced an extended power outage until safety checks could be completed

• 50 homes in Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, experienced damaged appliances after a theft from a substation in May 2013

• More than 20 substations were targeted in the Saltcoats area in one weekend alone in June 2013

• A spate of incidents in Dumfries and Galloway in January 2013 saw live overhead power lines being cut down by hacksaws

• A fatality of a 43 year old man occurred in July 2013 following an attempted theft from a pole mounted substation in Lanarkshire.

Source: ScottishPower

Metal theft leaves SP Energy Networks with £18m bill

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Metal theft from electricity substations across Scotland in the last four years has cost SP Energy Networks £18 million in repairs and extra security.

The company has experienced 1212 raids on its substations – roughly one a day – with each one resulting in a loss of supply and a major safety risk to both the public and the perpetrator. The crimes have resulted in three fatalities, including one man who made direct contact with an 11Kv pole mounted transformer, and more than 20 arrests.

The Scottish Government is set to tackle the problem of metal theft by introducing legislation that prohibits scrap metal dealers from accepting cash payments and forcing them to identify sellers in September. SP Energy Networks district manager Eddie Mulholland said: “It beggars belief that criminals continue to dice with death for a few pounds worth of scrap metal. “What is more concerning is their complete disregard for the power cuts they have caused, and the house fires they have started.”

Source: Utility Week

Reckless theft caused blast at electric substation

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A RECKLESS theft at a Widnes electricity substation caused an explosion and major fire, putting homes and lives at risk.

More than 100 homes and businesses were left without power for nine hours on Moorfield Road in Halton View. ScottishPower has condemned the criminals and the police are appealing for witnesses. The power company is working closely with officers to catch those responsible. A reward of up to £10,000 will be paid to anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction. It is the latest in a spate of dangerous substation thefts across Merseyside and the north west. There have been 20 separate incidents reported across the region since April. Stephen Stewart, director of SP Energy Networks, said:

“The criminals involved in these kind of thefts are risking the safety and wellbeing of local residents. “Their irresponsible action shows a total disregard for members of the public. “They are all too aware that tampering with electrical equipment can result in power cuts and could even cause fires in nearby homes but they couldn’t care less about the harm and disruption they cause.”

One woman told her neighbours she saw a man running away from the substation seconds before the explosion.

The fire started at around 11am on Thursday. Staff working at nearby Joanne Claire hairdressers said they heard the blast. Left with no power, they had no alternative but to close the salon. They say they not only lost business on the day but also future appointments as their telephone line was also cut off. Elderly residents relied on their neighbours with gas cookers to make hot drinks and meals. Power was eventually restored at 8pm.

Anyone with information can call Cheshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 389 of May 5. Alternatively, people can call the power company SP Energy Networks’ 24-hour hotline on 0800 001 5400 from a landline or 0330 1010 400 from a mobile.

Source: The Argus

Metal thieves in 1,200 raids on electricity substations

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Metal thieves carried out more than 1,200 raids on electricity substations in the last four years, according to Scottish businesses.

The raids have resulted in three deaths and more than 20 arrests. Each crime costs firms thousands of pounds in repair bills, lost power and safety risks to the public. The Metal Theft Summit being held in Cambuslang later hopes to highlight the impact of crimes on businesses and communities. Utility firm SP Energy Networks claims the thefts have contributed to the firm facing an £18m UK bill.

Jim Scott, of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre (SBRC), said the findings illustrated the impact metal theft can cause and the risk to human life. He said: “As part of our drive to tackle metal theft, we must look to improve reporting and vigilance, as well as raise awareness of the responsibilities faced by those who trade in scrap metal – especially in the lead up to the legislation changes.”

New legislation will prohibit scrap metal dealers from accepting cash payments.

Mr Scott, whose group is run in partnership with the Scottish government, added: “By ensuring scrap metal dealers no longer accept cash payments, along with measures to record and verify the identity of people selling metal, it will provide greater traceability and curb the potential for criminal behaviour.”

The new legislation will come into force in September. It prohibits scrap metal dealers from accepting cash payments and forces them to identify sellers to better regulate the trade of scrap metal.

The SBRC has joined forces with British Transport Police, Police Scotland, DWP and Trading Standards to run Operation Scandium which involves stopping vehicles to educate drivers about scrap metal legislation.

‘Selfish criminals’

Ch Supt John McBride, of British Transport Police, said: “While we have seen a welcome decrease in the number of incidents from a high of several years ago, metal theft continues to disrupt and inconvenience industry and the public as well as being costly to rectify.”

Eddie Mulholland, district manager at SP Energy Networks, said: “Metal theft from the electricity network continues to put lives at risk, and threaten the safety of communities.

“It beggars belief that criminals continue to dice with death for a few pounds worth of scrap metal. What is more concerning is their complete disregard for the power cuts they have caused, and the house fires they have started.

“We support all efforts to stop these selfish criminals, and restrict their ability to sell stolen metal.”

The event takes places at the Scottish Fire and Rescue National Training Centre in Cambuslang.

Source BBC

Copper Thefts Threaten U.S. Critical Infrastructure

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This assessment highlights copper theft and its impact on US critical infrastructure.

Intelligence Assessment (Unclassified)
Prepared by the
FBI Criminal Intelligence Section
September 15, 2008

Scope Note

The assessment highlights copper theft and its impact on US critical infrastructure. Copper thefts are occurring throughout the United States and are perpetrated by individuals and organized groups motivated by quick profits and a variety of vulnerable targets. Information for the assessment was developed through May 2008 from the following sources:

  • FBI
  • Open sources

Source and Confidence Statement

Reporting relative to the impact of copper thefts on US critical infrastructure was derived from the FBI and open sources . The FBI has high confidence that the FBI source reporting used to prepare the assessment is reliable. The FBI also has high confidence in the reliability of information derived from open-source reporting.

Key Judgments

  • Copper thieves are threatening US critical infrastructure by targeting electrical sub-stations, cellular towers, telephone land lines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for lucrative profits. The theft of copper from these targets disrupts the flow of electricity, telecommunications, transportation, water supply, heating, and security and emergency services and presents a risk to both public safety and national security.1
  • Copper thieves are typically individuals or organised groups who operate independently or in loose association with each other and commit thefts in conjunction with fencing activities and the sale of contraband. Organised groups of drug addicts, gang members, and metal thieves are conducting large scale thefts from electric utilities, warehouses, foreclosed or vacant properties, and oil well sites for tens of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds per month. 2
  • The demand for copper from developing nations such as China and India is creating a robust international copper trade. Copper thieves are exploiting this demand and the resulting price surge by stealing and selling the metal for high profits to recyclers across the United States. As the global supply of copper continues to tighten, the market for illicit copper will likely increase. 3

Copper Thefts Threaten US Critical Infrastructure

Copper thieves are threatening US critical infrastructure by targeting electrical substations, cellular towers, telephone land lines, railroads, water wells, construction sites, and vacant homes for lucrative profits. Copper thefts from these targets have increased since 2006; and they are currently disrupting the flow of electricity, telecommunications, transportation, water supply, heating, and security and emergency services, and present a risk to both public safety and national security.

  • According to open-source reporting, on 4 April 2008, five tornado warning sirens in the Jackson, Mississippi, area did not warn residents of an approaching tornado because copper thieves had stripped the sirens of copper wiring, thus rendering them inoperable.
  • According to open-source reporting, on 20 March 2008, nearly 4,000 residents in Polk County, Florida, were left without power after copper wire was stripped from an active transformer at a Tampa Electric Company (TECO) power facility. Monetary losses to TECO were approximately $500,000.
  • According to agricultural industry reporting, as of March 2007, farmers in Pinal County, Arizona , were experiencing a copper theft epidemic as perpetrators stripped copper from their water irrigation wells and pumps resulting in the loss of crops and high replacement costs. Pinal County’s infrastructure loss due to copper theft was $10 million.

Criminal Groups Involved in Copper Thefts

Copper thieves are typically individuals or organised groups who operate independently or in loose association with each other and commit thefts in conjunction with fencing activities and the sale of contraband. Organised groups of drug addicts, gang members, and metal thieves are conducting large scale thefts from electric utilities, warehouses, foreclosed and vacant properties, and oil well sites for tens of thousands of dollars in illicit proceeds per month.

  • According to open sources, as recently as April 2008, highly organised theft rings specialising in copper theft from houses and warehouses were operating in Minneapolis, Minnesota. These rings or gangs hit several houses per day, yielding more than $20,000 in profits per month. The targets were most often foreclosed homes.4
  • Open-source reporting from March 2008 indicates that an organised copper theft ring used the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s foreclosure lists to pinpoint targets in Cleveland, Ohio. Perpetrators had 200 pounds of stolen copper in their van, road maps, and tools. Three additional perpetrators were found to be using the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s list of mortgage and bank foreclosures to target residences in Cleveland, South Euclid, Cleveland Heights, and other cities in Ohio.5

Global Demand Increasing

China , India, and other developing nations are driving the demand for raw materials such as copper and creating a robust international trade. Copper thieves are receiving cash from recyclers who often fill orders for commercial scrap dealers. Recycled copper flows from these dealers to smelters, mills, foundries, ingot makers, powder plants, and other industries to be re-used in the United States or for supplying the international raw materials demand. As the global supply of copper continues to tighten, the market for illicit copper will likely increase.

Open-source reporting from February 2007 indicates that the global copper supply tightened due to a landslide at the Freeport-McMoran Copper and Cold mine in Grasberg, Indonesia in October 2003 and a worker’s strike at the El Abra copper mine in Clama, Chile in November 2004. These events contributed to copper production shortfalls and led to an increase in recycling, which in turn created a market for copper.6

  • Open-source reporting from October 2006 indicated that the demand for copper from China increased substantially due to the construction of facilities for the 2008 Olympics.7
  • Open-source reporting indicated that from January 2001 to March 2008, the price of copper increased more than 500 percent.8 This has prompted unscrupulous and sometimes unwitting independent and commercial scrap metal dealers to pay record prices for copper, regardless of its origin, making the material a more attractive target for theft.

Outlook

The global demand for copper, combined with the economic and home foreclosure crisis, is creating numerous opportunities for copper-theft perpetrators to exploit copper-rich targets. Organized copper theft rings may increasingly target vacant or foreclosed homes as they are a lucrative source of unattended copper inventory. Current economic conditions, such as the rising cost of gasoline, food, and consumer goods, the declining housing market, the ease through which copper is exchanged for cash, and the lack of a significant deterrent effect, make it likely that copper thefts will remain a lucrative financial resource for criminals.

Industry officials have taken some countermeasures to address the copper theft problem. These include the installment of physical and technological security measures, increased collaboration among the various industry sectors, and the development of law enforcement partnerships.9 Many states are also taking countermeasures by enacting or enhancing legislation regulating the scrap industry––to include increased recordkeeping and penalties for copper theft and noncompliant scrap dealers. However, there are limited resources available to enforce these laws, and a very small percentage of perpetrators are arrested and convicted. Additionally, as copper thefts are typically addressed as misdemeanors, those individuals convicted pay

 

This intelligence assessment was prepared by the Criminal Investigative Division of the FBI.

1 WAPT.com, “Copper Thieves Silence Tornado Siren,” 8 April 2008, available at www.wapt.com.
2 The Orlando Sentinel, “Theft Causes Power Outage,” 21 March 2008, available at www.orlandosentinel.com.
3 Murphree, Julie. “Copper Theft in Arizona at Epidemic Levels,” Arizona Farm Bureau: Arizona Agriculture, March 2007, Vol. 60, No. 3, available at www.azfb.org.
4 Tevlin, Jon. “The New Underground Currency,” StarTribune.com, 12 April 2008, available at www.msnbc.msn.com.
5 The Plain Dealer, “Copper Theft Ring Worked From Foreclosure Lists, Cleveland Heights Police Say,” 28 March 2008, available at www.cleveland.com.
6 According to an extensive study sponsored by the Chief Security Officer web site (www.csoonline.org) – Scott Berinato, “Copper Theft: The Metal Theft Epidemic,”1 February 2007, http://www.csoonline.com/read/020107/fea_metal.html.
7 Xinhau News Agency. “Bejing to Spend More on Infrastructure for Olympics,” CHINA.ORG.CN, 9, October, 2006, available at www.china.org.cn.
8 NYMEX Daily Spot Settlement Price, http://www.nymex.com (accessed on 9 March 2008).
9 US Attorney Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council Meetings with industry and law enforcement 25 April 2008 and 29 July 2008; LexisNexis; (U) Hassan, Anita. “Jackson Lee Says She Will Introduce Legislation That Enlists Help of FBI,” The Houston Chronicle, 6 September 2008.

Source: FBI

Police track copper thefts

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THE SNCF has signed a deal with the gendarmerie nationale to use a fleet of police helicopters in the fight against copper thieves.

The company is estimated to be losing €35m a year through the theft of copper cables.

According to the rail operator, the copper thefts are often the reason for trains being delayed, totalling up to 6,000 hours.

The rising price of copper has led to an increase in thefts, with the metal now fetching €7,420 a tonne.

It has signed the deal to help better protect the cables along its 32,000km of railway tracks.

Source: The Connexion

Metal thieves pillage French wind turbines

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A sophisticated network of metal thieves has targeted some 20 French wind turbines in a new looting trend, scaling the near 40-metre-high structures and stealing up to one tonne of metal from a single engine, Le Figaro reported Wednesday.

Citing an anonymous police source, the daily newspaper said the ring stole metal from wind farms in sparsely populated areas, where they had less chance of being caught.

“They cut the power to turn off the engine propeller motor,” the officer said, noting the thieves broke through the doors at the bottom of the turbines, before using the stairs to reach the engine which is located at the top – often as high as 40 metres off the ground. “By using bolt cutters and makeshift tools they then cut and ripped out the whole metal wiring, which is mostly made of copper,” he said.

The officer said a metal raid of a single wind turbine engine could amount to as much as one tonne of loot. One tonne of copper is estimated to be worth around 4,500 euros on the  market.

But the officer said the thieves take great risks, since their modus operandi means they’re stuck within the turbines for several minutes during the raids, with no alternative exits to the bottom door.

According to Le Figaro, at least 20 such incidents have been recorded recently. Two successful raids and one foiled attempt were reported in March alone.

In response to the escalated number of raids, turbine operators have installed video surveillance systems, while police have begun patrolling particularly large wind farms with helicopters equipped with cameras.

“If it’s not a national problem yet, it’s soon going to become one” an unnamed investigator told the newspaper.

Between 2012 and 2013, the number of reported metal theft cases in France rose by almost 18 percent, from 11,811 to 13,923. Copper made up 65 percent of the stolen metal.

Source: France24