Police still concerned over powerline tampering in Christchurch
Police are renewing an appeal for information as powerline tampering and theft continue across Christchurch.
Numerous reports of tampering in recent years had
cost lines companies dearly
,
plunged homes into darkness
and seen offenders
before the court
.
Acting Detective Sergeant Steph Trengrove of the Christchurch Tactical Crime Unit said the thefts could disrupt essential services, and came with serious safety risks.
She said there was a high chance of serious injury or death from the thefts, which can lead to power outages and leave powerlines exposed.
"While nobody has been seriously injured while attempting to steal the copper from these lines yet, there is a very high chance that serious injury or death will occur if this activity continues," she said.
Detective Sergeant Trengrove appealed to residents to keep an eye out for any suspicious or unusual activity or sounds, and let police know if they had any information that could identify the culprits.
Some of the key areas were: McLeans Island, West Melton, Dallington, Avondale, Brooklands and Spencerville.
"Members of the public should also be aware of the dangers behind exposed or damaged wires. Please do not touch any exposed wires, and call Orion on 0800 363 9898 immediately."
Residents should call 111 if they saw any suspicious activity around power poles and lines, or 105 if it was after the fact.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Wellington councillors baulk at spending $7 million to fence stretch of waterfront
Graphics show how the Wellington waterfront would appear with balustrades. Photo: Supplied / Wellington City Council Wellington City Council has voted against spending $7 million to fence a stretch of its waterfront. On Thursday, the environment and infrastructure committee debated fencing sections of Kumutoto and Queens Wharf - from about the Maritime Police Station to Shed 6 - to address safety concerns. Councillors wanted more time to assess the effectiveness of the safety measures that had already been put in place, such as extra lighting. The effort to improve safety followed recommendations made to the council after a coronial inquest into the death of 30-year-old Sandy Calkin . Coroner Katharine Greig found Wellington's waterfront lacked adequate measures to prevent Calkin's death and recommended installing permanent edge protection. Council officers recommended installing the balustrades on Kumutoto and Queens Wharf without community consultation to give urgency to the coroner's recommendations. Chief operating officer James Roberts told the meeting balustrading was the only practical option for those areas, which were narrow in parts and busy, with a high concentration of bars and restaurants. "Our advice is that, given the limited options available, which is either balustrade or do nothing, you are able to make that decision today, enabling officers to get on and address this outstanding public safety issue without delay. "For the rest of the waterfront, there are multiple practicable options and public consultation can help guide your decision-making." He acknowledged council had improved safety already with measures like extra lighting, but said the risk of an accidental fall was not fully removed. "If council wants to improve public safety here, there really is no other way of doing it." Councillor Iona Pannett urged councillors to heed both expert advice and the coroner's report, and said the council's first obligation was to keep people safe. "While I'm generally in favour of public consultation... what is the purpose in this case?" she said. Some councillors felt they had mitigated danger with the extra measures and wanted to find out whether it had made enough difference before deciding whether to spend the money. Councillor Ben McNulty said, while he voted against the spend, he still wanted improved waterfront safety. "I'll be voting against the paper, so that we can have some time given to monitor the effectiveness of the improvements that have already been made or are underway. "Targeted safety improvements could be presented to a future council, if required." Councillors Sarah Free, Iona Pannett, Laurie Foon and Nureddin Abdurahman voted for, with the remaining 13 councillors voting against. What would happen now was not clear. "Council officers will be working through next steps related to edge protection, following today's decision," a council spokesperson said.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Wellington mayoral hopeful Rob Goulden banned from Taxpayers' Union debates
Former Wellington city councillor Rob Goulden insists he was not aggressive, when denied access to the debate. Photo: ROB GOULDEN / SUPPLIED Wellington mayoral candidate Rob Goulden denies he was aggressive towards staff and student volunteers, after being banned from future debates held by the Taxpayers' Union. Executive director Jordan Williams said the ban resulted from Goulden's behaviour at a mayoral debate run by the union's affiliated student group - Generation Screwed - at Victoria University on Wednesday night. Goulden was not allowed into the event and told at the door it would run a panel with only five of the 12 candidates for the capital's top job. "It's been reported to me that Mr Goulden was aggressive and rude to our university student coordinators, and treated Taxpayers' Union staff and volunteers disgustingly," Williams said. "That is totally unacceptable." "We won't tolerate that kind of behaviour, especially toward young people who care enough to engage in politics. If he tries to attend any of our future events, I have instructed our staff to call the police." Goulden said he was not aggressive. "I had two exchanges with people at the door. I was calm, I was polite. "I did say to them I thought what had happened was discourteous." He said he had been invited to the event, had not received any update telling him otherwise, and was annoyed they had wasted his time and cherry-picked candidates. Victoria Relf of the Taxpayers' Union told NZ Herald that organisers initially sent expressions of interest to all candidates, but decided to pick "the ones that were either the most high profile or the most relevant to students". Those were Alex Baker, Ray Chung, Karl Tiefenbacher, Andrew Little and Kelvin Hastie. Diane Calvert was also invited, but did not attend, due to sickness. In 2009, during his term as a city councillor, Goulden was escorted from a committee meeting by police, after a ban for aggressive behaviour. Goulden told RNZ that had been "a stitch-up job", saying: "I've never hit anybody, never assaulted anybody - I was upset years ago. "Just because you remonstrate with someone or put someone in their place... and last night was no different. I wasn't angry, I was disappointed. "I thought last night was a disgrace." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
5 hours ago
- RNZ News
Auckland lawn mower says he's getting death threats after vandalism claims from Te Pāti Māori president
Emerald Lawns operator said he was cleaning his own signs, which had also been vandalised. Photo: Supplied/Steve Howley A West Auckland lawn mower says he's received death threats after a Facebook post from Te Pāti Māori president John Tamihere accused him of vandalising election hoardings. Emerald Lawns operator Steve Howley told RNZ he didn't go to work on Thursday because he was fearful of being attacked. But, Tamihere said the issue is now with the police who will determine the "veracity" of the claims. Pictures of Howley and his work vehicle were posted to Tamihere's Facebook page, who urged his follow to help identify the owner the vehicle and thanked "vigilant bystanders" for capture the footage, following the vandalism of election hoarding for Tamaki Makaurau byelection candidate Oriini Kaipara. Photo: Screenshot via Facebook Howley said he was there cleaning his own signs, which had also been vandalised, and had no idea he'd been photographed. By the time he got home, he said, he had received a threatening phone call from someone speaking in an "aggressive" tone, followed by threatening private messages to his business page. "He says, 'I'm going to get everyone ringing your number and spread your number' [and] I'm like, dude, you need to explain what you got on about'," Howley said. "I've had people calling me telling me I'm a racist, and taking photos off my personal page and putting it up on John's page. Some extremely, not nice photos." Howley said he moved to West Auckland from Ireland 15 years ago and wanted to "respect this country while I live here". "I don't stamp on anyone's feet. All I'm doing is trying to cut lawns, you know? I'm a community guy, all for the community. I don't do confrontation." Howley said he had since filed a report with the police. "I'm not even into politics. I have no interest in any political party. All I've tried to do is get a small business off the ground and build it... this could damage my business. It's just crazy, it's nuts." he said. In another post to Facebook, Tamihere said the issue had been referred to police. In a statement to RNZ, Tamihere said Howley could claim "what he likes" but the case was about "evidence" and ultimately the police would determine the "veracity" of Howley's claims. Police have been asked for comment. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
