B.C. Hydro said reports of copper theft from maintenance holes have risen significantly over the past 18 months.
The utility said Thursday it has logged 24 maintenance hole theft and mischief cases since January 2024, compared to just five in the previous two years.
There were 11 reports on Vancouver Island, nine in the Lower Mainland and one in Northern B.C.
B.C. Hydro said maintenance holes contain copper cables that carry electricity between underground circuits and substations.
“In each case, suspects removed maintenance hole covers and cut cables at both ends, typically targeting a single span of approximately 200 metres before dragging the cable out using a vehicle or winch,” it said in a statement, adding the repair cost is about $1.2 million.
B.C. Hydro warns that, while the copper cables are valuable on the scrap market, cutting into them can be dangerous.
“This isn’t just a property crime. It’s a direct threat to public safety, to our crews and to the thieves themselves. Anyone who touches live electrical equipment is risking severe injury or loss of life,” said BC Hydro spokesperson Susie Rieder in a statement.
B.C. Hydro said open maintenance holes also create hazards for pedestrians and vehicles, while severed cables can spark fires and trigger outages.
The utility is urging people to report any suspicious activity near maintenance holes or electrical infrastructure immediately by calling 911 or BC Hydro Security Command Centre at 1-877-311-8611.
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