Thieves use chainsaws to down power poles and strip copper: BC Hydro

SURREY, B.C. – BC Hydro says thieves risked death or serious injury by cutting down two power poles with chainsaws in Surrey, B.C.

Hydro said the two poles were located on separate properties and their transformers were stripped of copper.

Spokeswoman Mora Scott said 25,000 volts of electricity was running through a power line when one of the poles was brought down, causing a grass fire on Sunday evening.

She said the other pole was located on a property where a house was about to be demolished so the power line was turned off, but the thieves would not have known that when they risked their lives.

Metal theft is a huge concern because it affects the safety of the public and BC Hydro’s employees while impacting the reliability of the electrical system, the utility said in a news release.

The utility said a downed power line is dangerous and that people should stay at least 10 metres away and call 911 immediately.

Rampant theft of cast-iron drain covers and telecommunications equipment prompted the B.C. government to introduce a law in 2012 in an effort to curb such crimes and track scrap metal sales.

The law requires metal dealers and recyclers to record information about sellers and descriptions of metal they buy.

Buyers must also report their purchases to police on the day of the sale. Metal can’t be sold unless someone shows a driver’s licence or B.C. identification card to the buyer.

“BC Hydro has also ramped up our security and public awareness efforts as a preventative measure,” Scott said.

“Our security team works with telecom companies and law enforcement agencies to share information and increase public awareness around metal theft. As we build more awareness of copper theft, people are becoming more aware and are able to notice and report suspicious behaviour.”