More than 200 copper earthing wires have been stolen from power poles across North Canterbury this year, prompting lines company MainPower to offer a $5,000 reward for information to help stop the crime.

Chief Executive Sean Horgan said the spike in thefts had placed significant pressure on the company and its resources.

“We have experienced more than 200 thefts this year alone. The growing number of incidents is putting pressure on our resources and costing our community a lot in replacement and operational time.

“Not only are the thefts expensive and disruptive for our customers, it’s also incredibly dangerous. The earth wires play a critical role in maintaining a safe and stable electricity system and their removal compromises an important safety mechanism.

“We estimate the opportunity cost to MainPower to repair thefts so far this year at more than $1 million. That money would be much better spent on upgrading the MainPower electricity network or supporting the communities of North Canterbury. As a community trust owned business, copper theft is costing every power consumer in the region.”

MainPower said the reward had been introduced because of the growing safety risk and the need to stop the activity.

“The value of the copper being stolen is low in the grand scheme of things. Copper currently sells for around $14 to $17 per kg, and each theft nets very little.

To gain a few dollars, the individuals engaging in these high risk criminal activities are putting our communities at risk of injury or even loss of life.

“These thefts undermine the safety and reliability of the network and reduce confidence in essential infrastructure our communities rely on. Therefore, we are putting up a reward of $5,000.”

Copper earthing wires are designed to direct electricity safely into the ground if a fault occurs on a power pole. When the wires are cut or removed, the risk of electric shock, burns or fire increases.

“When these materials are stolen, it not only compromises the integrity of our infrastructure but also puts our customers and the community at risk of electrical hazards,” Horgan said.

MainPower said it was working with a private investigator who was independently examining the thefts, which had also been reported to police.

The company urged members of the public to report suspicious behaviour around power poles or electricity infrastructure.

Anyone with significant information about the thefts can contact the Wire Theft Information Team on 0800 947 384 or email [email protected] to be considered for the reward.

People who see suspicious activity happening at the time are urged to call police on 111.

MainPower distributes electricity to more than 46,000 homes and businesses across North Canterbury through a network of more than 5,258 kilometres of overhead lines and underground cables stretching from north of Christchurch through the Waimakariri and Hurunui districts to Kaikōura.