GANGS of reckless thieves are putting lives at risk by breaking into 11,000 voltage electricity sub stations.
Vandals are scaling overhead power lines risking death from thousands of volts of electricity in a bid to steal copper to sell for scrap.
Ten thefts have been reported in Wrexham in the past year alone and copper worth thousands of pounds has been stolen.
Vandals struck on November 4 with the attempted theft of wire from an overhead power line near Gresford.
There was also an attempted theft from a sub station in Llay at about the same time, but nothing was taken.
Similar raids have led to six deaths in the UK in the past 12 months.
Scottish Power spokesman Paul Ferguson said: “Metal theft is on the rise.
“Energy companies and other industries are working with the authorities to track down the gangs and individuals responsible.
“Thieves typically force their way into sub stations or scale overhead power lines to steal small amounts of copper, which is then sold on as scrap.
“These desperate actions not only jeopardise the reliability of electricity supplies, but increasingly put lives at risk.
“Looking at the damage to some of our equipment, most thieves will only have a very limited knowledge about what they are doing.
“They are showing staggering disregard for their own safety, the safety of the public, and that of our employees.
“If the gangs persist with this reckless behaviour it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.”
In September last year the Leader reported on a spate of copper thefts at electricity sub stations on Wrexham Industrial Estate.
Project engineer Ian Davies said it was only a matter of time before workers find a dead body at one of the sites.
North Wales Police say thefts are being fuelled by an increase in demand from China and have launched a crackdown on metal thefts with Operation Pallid.
Mr Ferguson added: “It is important that all our equipment is in service so we can maintain a good quality of electricity to all of our customers who depend on it.
“These dangerous acts not only have the potential to cause serious injury but could also result in widespread loss of electricity supply to homes and businesses.
“It quite simply beggars belief that anyone would put their life on the line by interfering with thousands of volts of electricity to steal small amounts of copper with a minimal scrap value.”
A Metal Theft Prevention Bill was introduced in the House of Commons yesterday.
David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, said: “With 700 incidents of metal theft against the energy networks each month, addressing the damage caused by thieves has become a daily challenge for those maintaining our critical national infrastructure.
“This hugely dangerous crime has already caused six fatalities and more than 50 serious injuries in the last 12 months. It is only a matter of time before an innocent person is hurt or worse.”
Anyone with information can call the Scottish Power confidential hotline on 0800 027 1950.