Northern Powergrid appeals for information after horse deaths
Northern Powergrid has made an appeal for information to help catch metal thieves after an attempted theft in Redmarshall, Stockton-on-Tees, left a powerline hanging dangerously low, leading to the deaths of four horses.
25th February 2020 by Networks
The 11,000 volt power line and the horses were found by a member of public, who reported the incident to the energy distributor. The company isolated power supplied in the area in response, causing a power cut for 84 customers.
Within 90 minutes power had been restored for 63 of these customers by utilising alternative sections of the network to deliver electricity. The remaining 21 had to wait 6 hours and 45 minutes before the lights were back on, as a full repair was required before transmission could resume.
Rod Gardner, head of network operations at Northern Powergrid, said: “Interfering with the power network in anyway is extremely dangerous, power lines on wooden poles can carry voltages of up to 132,000 volts and coming too close or making contact is potentially fatal.
“The actions of these criminals have caused the tragic death of four animals and our thoughts are with their owner.
“Through our partnership with the charity Crimestoppers, a reward of up to £1,000 is available to anyone who has information that could lead to a conviction of the people behind this crime.”
Comments
Login on register to comment
Related content
Power
The future for vegetation management
Why networks should focus on data not trees to overcome the costly challenges involved in vegetation management
Power
An unprecedented opportunity for change
Why short interruptions will matter in RIIO-ED2 and how to address them.
Power
Time for less talk and more action on decarbonisation
Core "oven-ready" solutions to decarbonising heat and transport exist today and should be implemented without delay, says WPD's future power networks expert.
Related supplier content
![‘Learning by doing’ on the road to net zero [test product]](https://networksonline.s3.amazonaws.com/products/images/3.jpg)
People & Skills
‘Learning by doing’ on the road to net zero [test product]
DSO director Andrew Roper discusses 'Learning by doing'
Power
Load patterns and lockdown: how Covid-19 is impacting electricity networks
Insights into dynamics on the low voltage network as the outbreak unfolds
Heat
How E.ON. is helping the City of London become a zero emissions city
Discover Citigen. Deep in the heart of our bustling capital