ScottishPower reveals 'Copped It' public safety advertising campaign to combat metal thefts
ScottishPower Energy Networks has mounted a new campaign in response to the number of thefts and attempted thefts of metal from electricity substations.
With 1435 individual substation attacks since January 2011, the ‘Copped It’ campaign seeks to illustrate the safety threats caused by criminal activity in and around its substations and power lines.
“It is a misconception that stealing metal from a substation or a power line is a victimless crime…The worrying reality of this kind of criminal behaviour is the serious impact it can have on local communities. As well as continuing to increase our own security and working closely with the police, we want to raise awareness of the threats posed by these kinds of thefts, and we want to encourage people in communities to report any suspicious behaviour they see beside our power lines and substations,” said Frank Mitchell, CEO of ScottishPower Energy Networks.
Created by Glasgow-based Good Creative the campaign has a nod to the public safety adverts of the 70s and 80s, as part of the initiative ScottishPower is willing to pay up to £10,000 to any member of the public who can provide information that leads to a conviction on criminals involved in metal theft from its equipment.
Mitchell added: “We are happy to pay rewards for information that leads to criminal convictions, and we want to work closely with communities to help catch the criminals responsible for this dangerous activity.”
‘Copped It’ will appear in print publications and on radio from Monday 21 October.