Police say there is a “very high chance” of serious injury or death amid incidents of powerline tampering and theft across the Christchurch region in recent months.
“This is not only frustrating to when essential services are disrupted, but this also comes with a serious safety risk,” Christchurch Tactical Crime Unit Acting Detective Sergeant Steph Trengrove said.
“While nobody has been seriously injured while attempting to steal the copper from these lines yet, there is a very high chance that serious injury or death will occur if this activity continues.”
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, new report into submersible implosion, body found in Auckland park, and mixed injury news for the Warriors. (Source: 1News)
Trengrove said some of the incidents had led to power outages on affected streets, as well as powerlines left exposed.
Police urged residents in McLeans Island, West Melton, Dallington, Avondale, Brooklands and Spencerville, where some of the key thefts had taken place, to keep an eye and an ear out for any suspicious or unusual activity.
“Members of the public should also be aware of the dangers behind exposed or damaged wires,” Trengrove said.
“Please do not touch any exposed wires, and call Orion on 0800 363 9898 immediately.”
Police said residents should call 111 if they saw any suspicious activity around power poles and lines, or 105 if it was after the fact.
Not the first time
More than 20 homes have been plunged into darkness due to the recent tampering. (Source: 1News)
Powerline tampering is not a new phenomenon in Christchurch, with a spate of “alarming incidents” reported to police over a two-week period in May 2024.
At the time, thieves in the Christchurch suburb of Waltham cut the cables in the night and left live wires exposed, including an incident outside a preschool on Phillip St.
