Theft from power facilities is illegal and deadly

In 2018, in the Smolensk region, 25 facts of theft of material assets from power facilities, served by IDGC of Centre - Smolenskenergo division, were recorded. Information on them was transferred to the police. Total material damage amounted to 692.5 thousand rubles.

According to the results of the inspection of materials, the police units in 2018 initiated 12 criminal cases, under 10 materials refusal orders were issued, and under three pre-investigation checks continue.

The security department of Smolenskenergo, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, is taking measures to compensate for damage to the branch by natural and legal persons. For example, in the process of pre-investigation checks on the fact of theft of equipment in Smolensky Distribution Zone, thanks to promptly taken measures, representatives of the contracting organization voluntarily restored the equipment. Thus, damages in the amount of 69 thousand rubles were compensated.

In addition, in 2018 at facilities of the branch 25 cases of damage to the electric grid facilities were recorded as a result of unintended actions of third parties. The total amount of material damage in this case was 441 thousand rubles. As a result of the claim actions, the perpetrators voluntarily compensated for the material damage in the amount of 123 thousand rubles. The branch’s security department continues to monitor the continuation of the claim work in respect of individuals and legal entities whose actions caused material damage to the branch.

Statistics show that residents of the region take a conscious risk, regardless of the mortal danger and criminal punishment. Smolenskenergo reminds that the theft of any equipment from power facilities entails not only responsibility, even criminal, but is also deadly. According to statistics, approximately 14% of the total number of injured people each year from unauthorized penetration into electrical installations in order to steal equipment of injury of varying severity. In addition, damage to electrical equipment can lead to power outages in homes and social facilities.