Thieves risk lives by stealing live electricity cables

Several incidents involving the theft of overhead copper cables have been reported in the past few days.

Four cables of about 200 metres each attached to four poles were cut down overnight on Thursday from a field between The Bridge pub and the village at Dorrington.

Thieves climbed wooden power poles in a field off Allfield Lane, Condover at around 1.30am on Saturday, removing around 280 metres of copper cable.

And in a similar incident at Montford Bridge, ladders were used to reach overhead lines. Four cables were cut from a pylon in 150 metre lengths.

Police say the offenders are threatening public safety as well as putting their own lives at risk.

“We want people to contact the police immediately if they see anyone working or tampering on overhead cables,” said a spokesperson for West Mercia Police.

“This will enable us to check out if they are genuine electricity company staff or metal thieves. Contact the non-emergency 101 number.”