VANCOUVER: BC Hydro is warning the public as copper thefts from maintenance holes have skyrocketed by more than 300 per cent in the past 18 months, with consequences that are not just costly, but could be potentially fatal.
Thieves are targeting BC Hydro maintenance holes that house copper cables essential for carrying electricity between underground circuits and substations. These cables are critical for safe and reliable power delivery, and valuable on the scrap market. Cutting into them is like tampering with a live power line: one wrong move can be deadly.
“We’ve logged 24 maintenance hole theft and mischief cases since January 2024, compared to just five in the previous two years, a staggering 380 per cent increase,” said Susie Rieder, BC Hydro spokesperson. “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.”
The danger does not end with the thieves. Open maintenance holes create fall hazards for pedestrians and vehicles. Severed cables can spark fires, trigger outages, and put BC Hydro crews in harm’s way as they work to repair the damage.
BC Hydro is working closely with police to investigate these incidents, which include 11 on Vancouver Island, nine in the Lower Mainland and one in Northern B.C. 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. Fixing the damage is expensive, with repair costs estimated around $1.2 million.
BC Hydro is urging the public 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. It also reminds everyone to never assume electrical equipment is de-energized. A downed power line or damaged equipment is extremely dangerous and should be treated as an emergency. Stay at least 10 metres away – the length of a standard bus – and call 911 right away.
For more information visit bchydro.com.
Contact:
BC Hydro Media Relations
e. media@bchydro.com
p. 604 928 6468