Raiders strip new homes of radiators and piping
Tuesday 7th December 2010, 1:00AM GMT.
Gangs of thieves are stripping empty properties and new homes in Telford of thousands of pounds of heating equipment, a top detective said today.
Detective Chief Inspector Alan Edwards, of Telford CID, said as well as the cost of replacing the equipment, the buildings and neighbouring properties were being left at risk of flooding with radiators, boilers and copper piping being stolen.
In the latest raid seven radiators and copper piping were stolen from an empty house in Danesford, Hollinswood, between 5pm on Tuesday and 3.25pm on Friday.
Mr Edwards said some of the homes targeted were on building sites where people had yet to move in.
He added: “The offenders involved in these thefts are taking radiators and copper boilers out of unoccupied houses, whether these be older or new homes.
“They are not only committing the theft but also leaving other properties at risk of flooding.”
Mr Edwards said the large items being stolen must have been seen by neighbours and urged people to report any such activity.
“Somebody must have seen somebody taking seven radiators out of a property but this is not just one incident, it is happening regularly lately,” he said.
“There’s a lot of other houses which have also been targeted for such property. Vans would be needed for these thefts and somebody must see them but probably think they are just workmen going about their genuine work.”
Mr Edwards said the stolen property was worth thousands of pounds. He urged anyone who saw people moving boilers or radiators or any metal equipment out of empty properties to contact police.
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