Not police corruption. Theft of copper cables. My aunt and uncle have just been affected by thieves ripping cable out of their local substation. One of the consequences was sending big volts down the neutral and this has caused damage in hundreds of houses. Uncle's washing machine had a fried main board, and he has lost a DECT phone. Others have not been so lucky, with sockets being blown out of walls.
The substation owner is disclaiming any responsibility, on the basis that they take reasonable precautions to protect their premises (a couple of modest padlocks). Home insurers will pay out, but it's quite messy - uncle has been advised to get his consumer unit checked and he will probably be told he needs a new one.
What surprised me was that the houses were so vulnerable. Is this because only the "live" pole is protected/fused in the UK?
goo.gl/hkXBj
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Copper thefts new
Copper thefts new
