Theft of metals, a scourge controlled by Enedis (illustration). - O.Aballain / 20 Minutes

  • In 2014, Enedis experienced a peak in theft of copper cables.
  • The company has signed an agreement with the gendarmerie to stem this scourge.
  • No theft has been reported since the start of 2020.

Copper that is worth gold. This Thursday, the electricity distributor Enedis renewed the partnership agreement signed in 2014 with the national gendarmerie. At the time, the idea was to work with the military to try to bring down the number of metal theft incidents. Because in fact, the copper cables used to convey electric current are prime targets for thieves because of the sale price of this metal. An association which has borne fruit since since the beginning of 2020, Enedis has not regretted any cable theft.

When we talk about theft of metals, mainly electrical cables, the targets are varied to say the least and the result is sometimes incredible. Thus, in September 2015, all the candelabras on a street in Marquette-Lez-Lille had been emptied of their copper, plunging an entire district into darkness. This plague does not spare the municipalities, and even less the companies. Police and gendarmerie agree that SNCF and Enedis are at the top of the list. "The first agreement with the gendarmerie was signed in 2014. At the time, cable thefts were relatively frequent and it was necessary to file a complaint each time," explains Jean-Marc Fourez, deputy director of Enedis Hauts-de -France.

Sometimes spectacular flights

If copper stirs so much lust, it is because it is a relatively precious metal, the price of which varies according to a course. Today, it is approaching 4.50 euros per kilo. “A one kilometer network cable span weighs about a ton, which is a nice sum. And copper is everywhere in our facilities, ”says the Deputy Director of Enedis. An illegal, dangerous but very profitable business which results in sometimes spectacular actions. In 2014, near Maubeuge, the thieves relieved twelve poles of a 20,000 volt line with 3 km of cable. Another time, it was the four feet of a pylon 35 meters high by a 45,000 volt line that had been cut.

"They don't even hesitate to tackle very high voltage substations at 400,000 volts," says Jean-Marc Fourez. Cable thieves nevertheless know what they are doing. “They work at night, in isolated places. They also make sure that customers are not cut off so that the alert is not given, ”specifies Enedis.

No flights to deplore since the beginning of 2020

It is impossible to monitor the 52,000 km of the network in Nord-Pas-de-Calais. However, sensitive structures have been reported and devices have been installed to limit intrusions. "We also exchange intelligence on both sides. And we also train on what to do or not when a theft is committed. Limit access to the site, for example, to facilitate searches for forensic items, for example, "explains Colonel Wanecques, of the gendarmerie.

This collaboration made it possible to lock up several gangs of copper thieves, notably the one responsible for Maubeuge's sparkle. After the peak in 2014, the number of metal thefts from Enedis sites is decreasing every year. "There was a small rebound in 2019 but in 2020, we do not regret any theft," says Jean-Marc Fourez.

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  • Gendarmerie
  • Copper
  • Enedis
  • Lille