Theft warning after electrocution

Gwent Police released this undated photograph of Kirk Thompson

A man whose electrocuted body was found near a power sub-station was trying to steal from the site, police believe.

Kirk Thompson, 43, from Newport, was discovered on a footpath close to the old steelworks site at Panteg, near Pontypool on Saturday morning.

Gwent Police said scrap metal theft was rising, but people took "extremely high risks for very little return".

Two men not connected with Mr Thompson were arrested on suspicion of theft from the site.

A post-mortem examination has confirmed he died as a result of electrocution.

Western Power Distribution said engineers were called to make safe equipment at the site of the former steelworks.

The utility firm said engineers were brought in to allow police to continue their inquiries.

Because the costs of metals - lead and copper in particular - has risen over the past few years, we have seen an increase in this type of crime. Sgt Neil O'Connell, Gwent Police

Gwent Police have seen an increase in theft of scrap metals from 284 crimes in 2003/4 to 689 crimes in 2007/8.

Officers said they wanted to reiterate the dangers of this type of crime and they were working to combat it.

Sgt Neil O'Connell said: "Because the costs of metals - lead and copper in particular - has risen over the past few years, we have seen an increase in this type of crime.

"At the moment we are contacting scrap yard dealers to raise awareness of this type of crime and ask them to work with us in recording the details of vehicles that come in and out of the scrap yard and if there is any unusual activity to notify us straight away.

"It's an offence for scrap dealers not to keep proper records and we have got the power to visit them to ensure this is happening.

"It's not only people placing themselves in grave danger of electrocution from cabling thefts but it has also been known for people to steal from the church and school roofs and from the sides of railway lines - these are extremely high risks for very little return," he added.