Netwatch Airport Remote Surveillance System, Monitoring and Response

Wind farm owners and managers across the country are being urged to be extra vigilant with attempted break-ins on the rise as thieves target copper cabling.

Copper has soared in value over the past year and security specialist Netwatch is warning that wind farm sites could be next on thieves’ lists.

Niall Kelly, Founder and Technical Director of Netwatch, said: “The value of copper has risen sharply in the past year, from around £1000 to £9000 a tonne.

“With this rise in value we are now seeing an emerging trend of thieves attempting to remove cables from sites up and down the country.

“Wind farms are particularly vulnerable due to the high volume of valuable materials kept on the site and we are seeing a significant demand from wind farm operators across the country for us to provide 24 hour remote and responsive security at their respective developments.”

Netwatch has thwarted a number of would-be-thieves as they attempt to enter sites containing valuable copper cabling.

Intervention specialists within the security provider’s remote communications hub detect intruders on the perimeter site security system and issue a personalised audio warning to them, alerting them that the police are on their way.

Cabling thefts are estimated to cost the UK more than £770 million each year.

Mr Kelly added: “Quite often the break-ins are carried out by organised gangs equipped with power tools to remove sections of material. Other premises like telephone exchanges, electricity substations and railway lines are also regularly being disabled by having cabling stripped out.

“Not only is this a very bad thing for the industry, it is also extremely dangerous for those attempting to break in – they are risking life and limb – these sites are not safe for people who are not properly trained or equipped to be there.”
 
NOTES TO EDITOR:
Established in the Republic of Ireland in 2003 by David Walsh, Group CEO, and Niall Kelly, Director of Technology, Netwatch currently employs 90 staff. The company’s team of leading security experts has developed a bespoke ‘next generation’ asset protection solution. Netwatch currently monitors security for more than 1,500 blue-chip businesses worldwide as well as a significant proportion of the world’s premium residential properties.
 
FURTHER INFORMATION:
Issued by Beattie Communications on behalf of the Netwatch

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