Metal thieves' deadly game

Metal thieves are playing a deadly game in Wolverhampton by breaking into electricity substations.

Two were broken into a week, causing power cuts at hundreds of homes.

Substations in Bilston and Graiseley were broken into during early-morning raids this week, and Central Networks today warned metal thieves of the potentially "disastrous" consequences of their actions. They can cause inconvenience for thousands of people when the power is disrupted, and can put themselves at risk of injury or even death.

The first break-in happened at the substation in Cox Road, Bilston, at 12.40am on Monday morning and the second happened after 2am at a substation on Graiseley Hill, Graiseley.

In both cases equipment was tampered with, and the power supply was cut to 218 properties.

In the first incident the power was back on by 1.49am while at the second power was restored at 2.51am.

Thieves have been known to break into substations to steal copper.

Phil Wilson, Central Networks' customer operations manager, said: "It can be very risky for people to go into a substation when they don't know what they are doing.

"It can have a disastrous result. Whoever broke in is very lucky not to have been seriously injured or even killed.

"We keep our substations fenced off and locked up for a reason. But these attacks not only put lives at risk, they also inconvenience our customers when their lights go out."

Anyone who has information about vandalism to or theft of Central Networks property, should call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111.