POLICE are warning school children in Bishop Auckland about the dangers of vandalising overhead power lines following a number of incidents.

Tree branches being thrown on to 20,000 volt electric overhead cables are just one of the problems officers have had to deal with in recent months.

Police are working with the Northern Powergrid to educate students about the consequences of anti-social behaviour and impact and damage it causes to people’s lives.

The problems can also cause damage at a nearby sewage works and pollution to the River Wear.

PCSO Chris Elms, from Bishop Auckland neighbourhood policing team, said: “When the tree branches hit the lines it causes an electric flash which blows the fuse and shuts down the power to Newfield sewage treatment works, creating significant impact on the operations there.

“We have stepped up patrols in the area, but our main focus is on educating local people, particularly youths, on the dangers of this sort of behaviour. If the problem persists we will be taking stronger action in the form of pursuing prosecutions.”

Nigel Walker, Northern Powergrid’s vulnerable assets manager, said: “These reckless acts could so easily cost someone their life.

“Not only are they causing deliberate damage to the electricity network, disrupting people’s power supplies, but the power lines are carrying thousands of volts, and coming into contact with them would lead to serious injury or worse.”

Witnesses should call Durham Police on 101 or via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800-555-111.