Plan B Forum

A suspected burglar was electrocuted and killed after breaking into an electricity substation.

The 30-year-old man suffered a 33,000-volt electric shock while apparently trying to steal copper cable.

An accomplice is believed to have called an ambulance on a mobile phone after the accident at around 11.45pm on Wednesday.

The second man waved down paramedics as they arrived and then fled from the substation in Ransomes Way in Ipswich.

Suffolk Police were alerted by ambulance staff and found the man dead inside the substation.

Officers found the rear doors of the substation had been forced and tools which had been used to cut metal cables were discarded nearby.

EDG Energy cut off power to thousands of nearby homes and businesses as a safety precaution for around an hour until the body was recovered.

Suffolk Police spokesman Richard Ford appealed for the second man to come forward.

He said: 'We want people to stay away from substations like this because of the obvious dangers.

'Potential burglars are putting their lives at risk if they try and force their way in.'

Police believe they know the identity of the man, but they are not naming him until his relatives have been informed.

The death of the man follows similar incidents in the area where suspected burglars have suffered serious injuries when targeting high voltage electrical equipment.

Two men in their 20s suffered serious burns last October in a suspected raid on a substation at Brantham, Suffolk. They were taken to a specialist burns unit at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Essex.

Another man was left fighting for life last September after receiving a massive electric shock in an apparent break-in at a disused food factory in Elmswell, Suffolk. The man, also in his twenties, suffered horrific burns after apparently tampering with high voltage electrical equipment at the factory.

A spokeswoman for EDF Energy said: 'EDF Energy engineers isolated power to several thousand customers in the north-east area of Ipswich last night, after a member of the public was sadly found dead inside an electricity substation.

'Some equipment was found to have been stolen from inside the site and we are working at the scene with Suffolk Police and the Health and Safety Executive to investigate what happened.

'In order to make the site safe for the emergency services we had to isolate power supplies from 11.45pm and restored power between 12.13am and 12.49am.

'Temporary power supplies are currently being arranged for a private electricity network in the area.

'We would like to express our condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.

'EDF Energy would like to warn the public again of the dangers of entering a secure substation site.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z0lDYRkhci

A spate of thefts in several towns and villages in Kent and Surrey over the past few months led to many householders taking action to protect their property.

Some have been warned by police that using wire mesh to reinforce shed windows was ''dangerous’’ and could lead to criminals claiming compensation if they ''hurt themselves’’.



Thieves target sheds to steal lawnmowers, power drills, bicycles and a variety of DIY tools.

Thomas Cooper, of Tatsfield, Surrey, used wire mesh to protect three of his garden sheds after two break-ins over the past four years. He decided to take action after reports of a rise in garden raids in the area.

Mr Cooper said: “I reinforced my shed windows with wire mesh, but was told by the police I had to be very careful because thieves can actually sue you if they get hurt.

''It is ridiculous that the law protects them even though they are breaking it.”

Last month Samantha Cullum, a mother-of-three, of Brasted, near Sevenoaks in Kent, had her whole shed stolen when thieves lifted it on to a lorry.

She said: “We had some tools stolen every now and again, but this time they took the entire shed – I couldn’t believe it.”

Dave Bishop, of Tatsfield, said: “The law is so stupid, and you never know what decision judges are going to make. People do get fed up with these people trying to help themselves to things which you have worked hard to gather together.”

Pc John Lee, a crime reduction officer for Tandridge, said: “We are constantly advising home owners to protect their property and the contents of their shed or garage, however, a commonsense approach needs to be taken.

“To properly secure your sheds, Surrey Police strongly advises people to invest in items such as good-quality locks and bolts, and not to resort to homemade devices, as this could cause injury.”

A police source added: “Homemade devices can cause injury and there have been cases where criminals have sued for injuries they have suffered while committing a criminal act.

''We are advising people to do whatever they can to protect their property, but wire mesh is not one of the suggestions we would make.”

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/outdoo ... glars.html

Jarlaxle wrote:He'll be out through the revolving door in a few months to do it again,

Jarlaxle wrote: and it wouldn't surprise me even slightly if he sued & won.

Jarlaxle wrote:Seems to me that full line voltage (480V/100A) through the bars on the roof vent would have worked better...though you might need to scrounge up a power washer for the results.

Why do you think that? Do you imagine there are no sentencing laws that go with criminal convictions? In my "liberal" state, third-degree burglary (the lowest form) alone draws a sentence of 3-5 years.

Sued who? Sued for what? "Won" what? How?

Yeah, because death without any legal process is always the appropriate penalty for a property crime.

Jarlaxle wrote:(I'm stunned he could WALK after plummeting to the floor like he did!)

Jarlaxle wrote:So if he doesn't plead it down (he probably will)

Jarlaxle wrote: and if he doesn't draw a bleeding-heart judge (he well might),

Jarlaxle wrote: he'll be out in about a year.

Jarlaxle wrote:

Sued who? Sued for what? "Won" what? How?

The store and/or building owner, for any injuries sustained while breaking in. (I'm stunned he could WALK after plummeting to the floor like he did!)

Jarlaxle wrote:I have no problem whatsoever with burglars being shot dead on sight.

Gob wrote:

A suspected burglar was electrocuted and killed after breaking into an electricity substation.

The 30-year-old man suffered a 33,000-volt electric shock while apparently trying to steal copper cable.

Long Run wrote:

Gob wrote:

A suspected burglar was electrocuted and killed after breaking into an electricity substation.

The 30-year-old man suffered a 33,000-volt electric shock while apparently trying to steal copper cable.

Were his last words: "Ohh, the copper got me!"

Long Run wrote:

Gob wrote:

A suspected burglar was electrocuted and killed after breaking into an electricity substation.

The 30-year-old man suffered a 33,000-volt electric shock while apparently trying to steal copper cable.

Were his last words: "Ohh, the copper got me!"

Miles wrote:[quote="Long Run]

The 30-year-old man suffered a 33,000-volt electric shock while apparently trying to steal copper cable.