Incidents have been reported across Christchurch. Photo: 123RF
Police believe it's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt by a busted powerline, raided for copper wiring by thieves.
Christchurch lines have been plagued with tampering and theft, police said on Tuesday, leaving exposed wires behind.
Incidents have been reported across the city, including Addington, Phillipstown, West Melton, Halswell and Marshlands.
In one incident, police said broken powerlines left behind outside a preschool on Phillip Street.
"Our message to offenders is to stop this behaviour before someone, including yourself, gets hurt," Senior Sergeant Roy Appley said.
"You are putting yourselves and others at extreme risk of electrocution, for such a small return."
Local scrap dealers have been asked to help with the investigation.
Earlier this year, Abbleby told RNZ the payoff was at best only about $10 a kilogram "and you need an awful lot of it to make a kilogram".
He said the fact no one appears to have been killed doing it - yet - suggested those involved had some electrical skills.
The thefts began last year in the disconnected residential red zone, but have since spread to areas where the electricity is definitely live.
There has also been a rise in reported incidents involving powerlines in Hawke's Bay.
Abbleby said residents should not hesitate to contact police if they see someone acting suspicious around power poles, and call lines operator Orion if they see damaged or exposed wires.