Metal thieves climb power pylons for copper cables

Metal?thieves climbed telegraph poles to cut copper from overhead cables in the middle of the night in remote Shropshire fields, police said today.

They also stole batteries from temporary traffic lights and sneaked under 15 parked cars in Telford to steal catalytic converters.

Police said four cables of about 200 metres long were cut down overnight on Thursday from a field between The Bridge pub and Dorrington, near Shrewsbury.

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

In another incident in Montford Bridge early on Sunday ladders were used to reach overhead lines. Four cables were cut from a pylon in 150 metre lengths at about 2.30am.

In Telford, one converter was stolen between 4.30pm and 7.30pm on Sunday from a Citroen car in Telford town centre.

Hours earlier thieves targeted a white box van in Snedshill Way and made off with its catalytic converter between 6.30pm on Saturday and 2.30pm yesterday.

Police today said other vehicles were targeted in St Georges, Snedshill, Dawley and Malinslee.

Steve Loveridge, crime risk advisor at Telford police, today warned motorists to be vigilant.

He said: "These incidents have caused unnecessary hassle and expense to the owners of the attacked vehicles. Replacing the parts can cost about £500. We would advise motorists to be vigilant and to park their vehicles, if possible, in a garage or to leave it on a driveway or in a visible well lit area."

Paul Williamson, 55, left his Citroen Dispatch van in Gower Street on Saturday while he worked. He returned at 5.15pm to find it would not start as the converter had been stolen.