Copper thefts from North Canterbury irrigation systems cause $130,000 in losses

Police are investigating at least 12 thefts of copper cabling from irrigation systems across North Canterbury. The incidents involve both centre pivot and lateral irrigators in Swannanoa, West Eyreton, Fernside, Oxford and Darfield. Reported losses have exceeded $130,000, though this figure does not include costs for labour, contractor callouts, irrigation downtime or other consequential expenses.

Canterbury Rural Area Commander Inspector Peter Cooper said offenders appear to be targeting copper power and control cabling for financial gain. Many thefts were only recently discovered because irrigation systems are largely dormant during winter and are not routinely checked. The targeted cables are located on the tallest part of the machines, approximately three to four metres high.

In a separate incident, a man was filmed using a cutting tool to steal an electric vehicle fast charger cable from a BP Wild Bean Cafe in Redcliffs, Christchurch, overnight on Tuesday. The theft has left the charger out of operation.

Waterforce Rangiora branch manager Andrew Panasiuk warned that thieves could face fatal electric shocks as machines begin running for the season. 'We’re now entering a phase where the machines are running and if these thieves continue, they’re going to get a shock – literally – and someone could get killed,' Panasiuk said.

How it developed

• Thu 8 Oct, 10:54amReport 2 notes that the targeted cables are located three to four metres in the air and includes a warning from an irrigation specialist regarding the risk of electrocution.

Where reports differ

• Report 2 states the thefts have been occurring since December, while other reports do not specify a start date

Compiled from reports by Stuff, The Press, 1News and RNZ.