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More must be done to secure site

Lucy McGuire
3/ 7/2008

RESIDENTS called for better security after an electricity substation was broken into causing hundreds of homes and businesses to lose power for two days.

The substation, in Cock Clod Street, was broken into between 9.00pm on Friday July 27, and 11.10am the following morning by thieves who stole copper wiring used to conduct electricity.

Four hundred Radcliffe homes were without power for the weekend and 350 homes in Bury were also affected after a substation in the Chesham Fold area was targeted by thieves who sell the wire for scrap metal.

Most residents from Park Street, Cross Lane, Wellington Street, Spring Lane, Butterworth Street and Cock Clod Street were without power until Monday morning.

Many elderly residents were evacuated to nearby nursing homes.

Radcliffe councillor Wayne Campbell attended the site, which is the responsibility of United Utilities.

He said: "I’ve got to question why it took United Utilities so long to respond.

"Having no electricity for that long is unjustified and the security of these substations is of great concern."

Dave Booth, manager of Coral bookmakers in Cross Lane, said: "I sat here in the dark with my deputy manager and we took a total of 32 bets when we usually take about 400.

"It was the Euro 2008 final on Sunday too so we lost a lot of trade. We have lost up to £3,000 from the whole weekend.

"It’s hard to catch these thieves but perhaps someone should be looking at installing CCTV to deter them."

A spokesperson from United Utilities said: "We repaired the substation very quickly and our engineers worked round the clock checking wiring in each and every home affected.

"All our substations are kept very securely locked with clear signs warning of the dangers.

"But unfortunately if criminals are determined enough to risk their lives by breaking in, they will bring the tools to do it.

"We are still to gain access to around 12 properties, and have left calling cards asking for these remaining homeowners to contact us so we can reconnect their power.

"We are working with the police to identify and deter these criminals."

A spokesperson for GMP said they were continuing with their inquiries.

Anyone who has witnessed anything suspicious near the substations is urged to contact United Utilities on: 0800 1954141 or Greater Manchester Police on: 0161 872 5050.