Thieves have dug up and stolen around 150 metres of cabling at a water supply pump station near Rotorua.<\/p>\n
The theft of the data and power cables at Rewarewa Spring in Hamurana was discovered on May 28, but police said it may have taken place anytime from May 13.<\/p>\n
“Police have made enquiries into the incident, however have exhausted all lines of enquiry to identify and locate those responsible,” a police spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
Rotorua Lakes Council water services manager Eric Gurden said the cabling was part of a stream flow monitoring system linked to the water take at Rewarewa, which supplies the Kaharoa and Hamurana communities at the northerm end of Lake Rotorua.<\/p>\n
The cables appeared to have been removed by digging underground and pulling them out, potentially using a vehicle.<\/p>\n
“This is theft from the community and is a nuisance for us as it will need to be replaced which will cost approximately $2000,” Gurden said.<\/p>\n
Water supply was unaffected and the site was not operational at the time of the theft.<\/p>\n
Police said officers were still seeing people putting themselves in extreme danger to steal copper, especially those cutting wires or being near exposed wires.<\/p>\n