It is the second time in the past two months that thieves have stolen powerlines from Tomago, and one in a spate of similar incidents across the Hunter and Lake Macquarie.

“Unfortunately this is not an isolated incident and we are again warning people that they are risking their lives by interfering with live electrical wires,” Ausgrid’s general manager of asset management and operations, Sam Sofi, said.

“We are very fortunate that this incident didn’t end with a fatality as this is incredibly dangerous and reckless behaviour.

“No amount of copper is worth your life.”

A passing Ausgrid crew spotted dangling wires near Masonite Road between Heatherbrae and Tomago on the afternoon of Wednesday, October 24.

When they stopped to investigate they discovered 12 spans, or about 1 kilometre, of copper powerlines, weighing a combined 2100 kilograms had been cut down and taken.

The lower spans of powerlines had been cut and removed. The severed powerlines were left dangling from the poles.

The high voltage cables were left in tact.

It comes after Ausgrid crews were called to Masonite Road at Tomago in August following the theft of live copper cables.

In that instance a metal guard was removed and copper earth cables had been taken from a connection between underground cables and 33,000 volt overhead powerlines.

There have been a series of similar incidents across the region this year.

During the October long weekend would-be thieves attempted to remove live copper cables from a power pole at Marks Point and interrupted supply to 1200 Ausgrid customers.

Mr Sofi said West Lake Macquarie and Toronto have also been targeted multiple times.

In March, bolt cutters were used to fell 150 metres of live 11,000 volt overhead powerlines near Ausgrid’s Toronto West zone substation.

All the incidents have been reported to police.

Anyone with information about the Tomago incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page: nsw.crimestoppers.com.au