Senior Sergeant Roy Appley said police were told on Monday, October 30, two individuals were seen tampering with the Orion network in the Woolston area.
“This behaviour is dangerous and has the potential to impact households living in the area,” Appley said.
The incident follows a number of reports about suspicious activity around power lines in April, including people tampering with cables and boxes in the red zone area.
Orion Christchurch general manager Steve Macdonald told Morning Report people were likely taking copper and aluminium and selling it on as scrap metal.
"When this is occurring, it's taking power off people in nearby houses and it's impacting their life as well.".
The company had spent more than $500,000 in the past 18 months fixing the powerlines.
"And it's our community that pays for that."
Macdonald said the tampering was dangerous as the perpetrators were not only putting their own lives at serious risk, but also that of the public and his staff.
"There's no safe way to do what they're doing, and that concerns us."
The company is working with the police.
Appley said: "If you recognise those pictured (above), contact police with that information on 105 and quote file number 220608/8767."
Police are also appealing to anyone who has information about an older model, white, flat-deck truck seen in the vicinity of damaged power lines.
"If you have any information about or have seen this vehicle, please contact police on 105," Appley said.
"If you see power equipment that’s been damaged, please call Orion on 0800 363 9898, day or night," Appley said.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers - 0800 555 111.
