As stated by Senior Constable Pehi Potaka of Hawke's Bay Volume Crime Team:
Hawke's Bay Police are appealing to the public to report any suspicious activity around railway crossings and bridges in their community, after hundreds of metres of copper was stolen in just a week.
Senior Constable Pehi Potaka says in the week beginning 23 June, more than 750 metres of copper cable was stolen from the railway bridge north of Clive, along with four level crossing bells being stolen from railway crossings between 12 April and 12 May.
"It is extremely concerning and a huge public safety risk," he says.
"Railway core cables are responsible for transmitting power and signals to trains, which is crucial to keeping the rail systems operating safely and efficiently.
"Crossing bells are an essential part of public safety and play a huge role in warning people that a train is approaching. The removal of these bells has the potential to cause fatal accidents," says Senior Constable Potaka.
Police take public safety very seriously and would like to remind offenders that not only are you putting your community at risk when stealing these essential railway safety tools, but cutting any electrical wires comes with risk - including to yourself.
Police are also reminding scrap metal yards that we will be taking a hard line with anyone found to be receiving the bells or other stolen copper or metal.
If anyone sees someone acting suspiciously around railways, they are asked to ring 111 immediately if it is happening now, or 105 if it is after the fact.
We also encourage anyone who sees anything at railway crossings and bridges that they are concerned about, such as wires that have been noticeably cut or bells missing, to contact Police immediately.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
