Cable thieves plunge mile-long stretch of road into darkness

Over a mile of the A63 link road, which runs between junction 45 of the M1 motorway and the city centre, has been affected with in over £200,000 of cable being stolen in a series of raids.

Police believe the thefts have taken place over the last four weeks and have affected the 1.2 mile stretch between the M1 and Thornes Farm way, Cross Green.

The thieves are thought to be attacking the relatively isolated stretch of road overnight and are likely to be posing as workmen and engineers.

As the thefts take place, half-mile sections of the road are being plunged into darkness, endangering the safety of those using the carriageway.

Officials believe 32 metre sections of cable are being taken on each occasion with the outer casing being stripped at the roadside and the valuable metal component being taken and sold on.

News of the thefts come as a proposed Bill to toughen the law on metal theft will be brought before the House of Commons this week.

Backed by the utility industry and others, Graham Jones, Labour MP for Haslingden and Hyndburn, is introducing a private members Bill, to give the authorities more powers.

He said: “It is time to get tough on this endemic crime. Metal theft in this country is a crime which is out of control and it’s about time the Government took swift firm action.”

There have been a number of deaths and serious injuries related to metal theft.

Earlier this year a warning was issued to would-be cable thieves after a 16-year-old boy died after being electrocuted at a disused power station in the Stourton area of Leeds in July. It is believed he was trying to steal cabling.

Following the latest incident in the city, which has seen the theft of cable from the A63, police have increased patrols in the area and made checks with scrap metal dealers across West Yorkshire and are now appealing for the public’s help.

Insp Nick Smart, who leads the Crossgates, Whinmoor and Temple Newsam Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “The dangers associated with this type of theft are not just confined to those driving on the road but also to those stealing the cables.

“We’ve seen a number of incidents recently where people stealing high voltage electric cable have been killed or significantly burned.

“I believe a number of people, perhaps shift workers or commercial drivers, who may have been on the road late at night or in the early hours of the morning, will have seen the thieves but believed they were workmen.

“I would ask anyone who may have seen any activity that they now believe to be suspicious to get in touch with us.”

The proposed Metal Theft Bill is due to be debated in the House of Commons tomorrow.

It calls for a robust licensing scheme coupled with greater police and magistrate powers to close and keep closed scrap metal yards that do not operate within the law. It would also stop cash payments.

It is estimated that metal theft costs £1bn a year.

David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association, which represents the wires and pipes companies that carry electricity and gas to homes and businesses, supports the Bill.

He said: “With 700 incidents of metal theft against the energy networks each month, addressing the damage caused by thieves has become a daily challenge for those maintaining our critical national infrastructure.

“This hugely dangerous crime has already caused six fatalities and over 50 serious injuries in the last 12 months. It is only a matter of time before an innocent person is hurt or worse.”

Anyone with information about the thefts on the A63 is asked to contact PC David Lund at Killingbeck on 0845 606060 or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

[email protected]