Thieves targeting hydro poles in Sudbury for wire

Hydro poles in Greater Sudbury, Ont. are being targeted by thieves who are stealing wire. January 21, 2025 (Alana Everson/CTV Northern Ontario) (Alana Everson)

Greater Sudbury Hydro is seeing a significant increase in thefts of wire from hydro poles throughout the city.

There have been 80 incidents since November 2024, officials said, in addition to thefts from substations and the utility’s headquarters on Regent Street.

Greater Sudbury Hydro said it’s extremely dangerous, as thieves run the risk of severe electrical shock, which would likely be fatal.

In most cases, thieves are cutting wires that are made of copper clad steel that have little to no value.

“We use copper clad steel wire almost as a risk mitigation, almost as a metal theft prevention, because you notice of all these thefts of copper wire, not just here at utilities, but at industrial sites, even at homes “ said Claude Sharma, Greater Sudbury Utilities Communications Officer.

“So this is kind of a way of helping reduce the thefts.”

The utility company said if members of the public see the crime happening, do not approach the people involved and call police instead.