THOUSANDS of residents and large employers have been affected by the theft of live, high-voltage electricity cable.

The theft of valuable copper wire from the 11,000 and 33,000 volt power-lines - supplying power to the TS18 and TS19 areas of Stockton - is costing Teesside’s economy thousands of pounds.

Over the last seven months – and in 20 separate incidents - a total of 5,000 metres of cable was cut and stolen, causing disruption to 5,000 homes and costing Northern Powergrid £600,000 to replace.

In a bid to scupper thieves, the company is replacing the copper wire with aluminium, which has a lower cash value.

Safer Stockton Partnership, Northern Powergrid and Crimestoppers have now joined forces to tackle the problem, with the latter offering up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and charging of those responsible.

Mike Matthews MBE, managing director of car parts’ manufacturer Nifco UK, whose Eaglescliffe site employs 450 staff, said: “It is paramount that we quickly deal with the mindless criminals who are putting the public at risk and impacting on local businesses.

“The reality is that they are taking away the prospect of major investment in the area – that means future jobs on Teesside.”

For each hour power is cut off to Nifco’s Eaglescliffe site, £10,000 is wasted in lost productivity.

Geoff Lee, Chair of Safer Stockton Partnership, said: “These reckless thieves are showing complete disregard for our businesses and communities and their actions are totally unacceptable.”

Nigel Walker, Northern Powergrid’s Vulnerable Assets Manager, urged members of the public to report any suspicious activity around electricity cables to National Powergrid or Crimestoppers.

A spokesman for Cleveland Police added there had been a fall in the overall number of cable thefts in the Cleveland Police force area since 2011 with 29 incidents of cable theft in Stockton recorded since May 1, 2014.

As part of Operation Livewire, Cleveland Police use a range of measures including air support. There are also plans to install CCTV at known hotspots.

James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, who recently sent a letter to his constituents urging vigilance, said: "It has happened too many times and causes huge disruption and cost.

“We need to publicise that the cable is not copper any more.”

Anyone with information can call Northern Powergrid’s emergency 24-hour number, 0800 66 88 77 or the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.