Intruder 'dicing with death' as substation break-ins in central Lancashire leave hundreds without power

Homes and businesses in central Lancashire were hit by power cuts after an intruder 'diced with death' in six electricity substations.
By Phil Cunnington
Published 30th Sep 2020, 10:22 BST
Updated 30th Sep 2020, 10:25 BST
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The reckless vandal cheated death after breaking into the electricity substations and tampering with powerful equipment.

The dangerous incidents, which have caused power cuts on each occasion, affected thousands of people in Leyland.

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Engineers at Electricity North West say the culprit cheated death each time they illegally entered the substations, which connect the power network at up to 11,000 volts.

Electricity North West area manager Ben Fiddler at one of the Leyland substations which has been broken into by an intruderElectricity North West area manager Ben Fiddler at one of the Leyland substations which has been broken into by an intruder
Electricity North West area manager Ben Fiddler at one of the Leyland substations which has been broken into by an intruder

Fortunately, no serious damage was caused, but more than 3,500 residents and businesses were affected by the power cuts and Lancashire Police is aware of the incident.

Ben Fiddler, area manager for Electricity North West, said: “These are very serious incidents, not only is it illegal to gain access to the substations, but each time the person breaks in and touches the equipment, they really do dice with death, I’m amazed they’ve not injured themselves or worse.”

The incidents, most of which have happened in the past five weeks, have happened at outdoor and indoor substations on Golden Hill Lane, Chapel Brow, Moss Lane, Station Brow and Leyland Way.

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Electricity North West engineers, who operate the region’s power network, have attended each time an incident has happened to ensure power was restored to customers as quickly as possible.

Mr Fiddler says the intruder has cheated death each time they have broken into a substationMr Fiddler says the intruder has cheated death each time they have broken into a substation
Mr Fiddler says the intruder has cheated death each time they have broken into a substation

“We have yellow ‘danger of death signs’ in and around substations for a reason, people must take notice,” added Fiddler.

“It hasn’t been easy for the residents of Leyland and I want to thank them for their understanding.

“I ask that they remain vigilant and if they see anything suspicious, to contact us directly on 105 and call Lancashire Police so that we can stop these incidents and disruption before someone is hurt.”

Anybody with any information regarding the break ins should call Lancashire Police and quote LC20200920-1404.

For more information about Electricity North West, please visit www.enwl.co.uk.