Copper theft was responsible for a power outage that impacted 8,400 Snohomish County customers.
Officials say copper thieves are responsible for a power outage that impacted 8,400 Snohomish County customers. The Everett Daily Herald reports that the theft was the sixth in 2015. In 2014 copper thieves hit 31 times.
A $5,000 reward is offered by NYSEG for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for a rash of recent substation copper theft.
“As well as putting themselves in grave danger, the perpetrators are endangering our workers and the public,” said Mark S. Lynch, president and CEO of NYSEG and RG&E, in a news release. “We are working with law enforcement to apprehend those responsible and offer a reward to encourage the public to assist us.”
Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the substation in Ore Close just before 2100 BST on Monday.
A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said a 46-year-old Chesterton man was found injured on the ground of the substation compound.
He said the man, who has not yet been identified, subsequently died from injuries received on site and his death was not being treated as suspicious.
Police have appealed for anyone with information about the man’s death to get in touch.
Phil Swift, Western Power Distribution’s network services manager, said: “This tragic loss of life serves as a reminder to everyone that entering an electricity substation can put you at serious risk of electrocution resulting in severe burns or death.
“We would urge anyone who witnesses any member of the public entering a substation to notify the police immediately.”
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.
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.