Power pole plea after Manawatū copper cabling thefts 19 May, 2021 12:24 AM 2 minutes to read A damaged power pole found in the Manawatū following a theft. Photo / Supplied Manawatu Guardian Manawatū police are appealing to the public to report any suspicious activity around power poles and lines in their community. "So far this year in the Manawatū alone, approximately 10,000 metres of copper cabling has been stolen from Powerco's electricity network," Inspector Ross Grantham said. If anyone sees anyone acting suspiciously around power poles and lines, particularly in rural areas, they are asked to ring 111 immediately. "Police have seen many instances of potentially live wires being left hanging down, or earth cables being cut when people have stolen cables," he says.