Copper Theft: Surrey, BC Thieves Cut Down Two Power Poles

September 15, 2016

BC Hydro is asking the public to report any suspicious activity around power infrastructure after two recent dangerous incidents in Surrey, BC.

Thieves risked death or serious injury when they used chainsaws to cut down power poles on two separate properties. The perpetrators brought the poles down to strip the transformers of their copper.

In one case, the electrical equipment attached to the power pole was de-energized. The equipment attached to the other pole was energized. The power line had 25,000 volts of electricity running through it when it was brought down, causing a grass fire. This could have injured or killed a member of the public or BC Hydro employees.

Metal theft is a huge concern for utilities. It is a crime that affects the safety of the public and BC Hydro employees, and also has an impact on the reliability of the electrical system.

In May 2016, two poles were also cut down in Maple Ridge. BC Hydro is working with the RCMP to investigate both incidents.

Photo courtesy of BC Hydro.