Intruders damage power cable after breaking into electricty substation in Peterborough

The intruders struck at the substation in Wainman Road, Woodston, and damaged an 11kv cable immediately cutting power supplies to 18 nearby businesses.

It is thought the incident occurred during the early hours of Sunday.

A 40 foot long power generator had to be brought in to provide power to the businesses while UK Power Networks engineers repaired the damage.

Now power chiefs, who have reported the break-in to the police, have warned of the dangers posed to anyone tampering with equipment in substations.

The power cut was reported by staff at kitchen and bedroom suppliers PKB Trade as they carried out checks ahead of a return to work after the festive break.

Iain Forsythe, chairman of PKB Trade, said it appeared the incident had taken place between 3am and 6am on Sunday.

He said: “Our staff were here at about 10am to prepare for today, carrying out computer checks and lighting the biomass boiler to heat the building.

“They realised what had happened and called UK Power Networks, which had engineers on site in one hour and stayed until 8pm.

He added: “The generator was brought in late last night.

“It did cut out but has been restarted and fingers crossed they can keep it going for all businesses affected in the area.”

A spokeswoman for UK Power Networks said: “Third party damage at an electricity substation in Peterborough interrupted power to 18 businesses on an industrial estate on Sunday.

“Our engineers discovered the substation had been broken into and an 11kv cable had been damaged at the Wainman Road substation.

“Power was restored by a generator at 6.50pm and engineers are working quickly and safely today to repair the cabling.”

She said the incident had been reported to Cambridgeshire Police.

She added: “It is very dangerous to interfere with electricity distribution equipment.

“Although electricity is key to all our lives and safe when treated with respect, it is extremely dangerous if equipment is tampered with or vandalised.”