Thefts of copper gas pipes continue in Leicester
Leicestershire police are investigating more thefts of copper gas pipes.
Officers issued a warning on January 19 after pipes were taken from outside two properties in Mountcastle Road, in Leicester's West End.
On that occasion, firefighters and Transco engineers attended the scene because of fears leaking gas could cause an explosion.
Since then, three more properties in the area have been targeted.
Sergeant Will Cheshire, from Hinckley Road police, said: "I must express how serious this is. Tampering with live gas pipes is an extremely dangerous act and could have fatal results.
"The stolen pipes were situated in alleyways next to properties so I would like to reiterate the same message from two weeks ago – anyone with external gas pipes running along the side of their property is encouraged to secure alleyways by using gates and making sure they are locked."
Officers are visiting vulnerable properties in the area and marking external gas pipes with SmartWater, which make them traceable if stolen.
About 20 homes in Westcotes, in the city, suffered similar thefts in October and November.
Police said the rising value of copper was pushing thieves to take more dangerous risks to get hold of scrap metal.
A fire service spokesman said: "Cutting into live gas pipes is a very stupid and dangerous thing to do.
"Just one spark as the metal is cut could cause a fireball and kill the thief as well as putting homeowners at risk.
"It also causes huge inconvenience through interruptions to gas supplies."
Anyone with information should call Sgt Cheshire on 101.
6 Comments
by 22FARAWAYFOX
Saturday, February 04 2012, 12:07PM
“And as soon as they had finished your hedge Martin_le3 they scuttled off to declare their earnings on their soon to be submitted (e)Tax Return, somehow I don't think so, they'll be back next week to re-slate your roof or tarmac your drive....if something appears too good to be true......say no more!”
by burnmw1987
Friday, February 03 2012, 8:08PM
“@PC_Sherlock: Nothing like a bit of racial stereotyping to make a "point' eh? Just because they collect peoples unwanted scrap does not automatically make them thieves. What an absolutely ridiculous thing to say.”
by martin_le3
Friday, February 03 2012, 7:39PM
“@PC_Sherlock - these flatbed trucks drive near where we are too. I've never seen them enter anywhere without permission, and I have seem them knocking on a neighbours door who had left an old fridge on the drive, just to make 100% sure that they meant it to be picked up and taken away. Which is obviously the only reason it would have been left there. I also had a few of these guys trim my hedge, they did a great job for a good price and took all the cuttings away. Yep, they were obviously travellers too.”
by Neil0123
Friday, February 03 2012, 7:27PM
“With the extortionate prices being charged by British Gas (et al) for the gas that runs through these pipes, I wonder if anyone has thought of trying to flog off the gas in the pipes first as a neat little "brucey" bonus in addition to the price for then selling on the pipe?”
by llamalamb
Friday, February 03 2012, 6:14PM
“Perhaps we ought to take a lead from Jamaica here. The government had to suspend all scrap metal trading as the island's infrastructure was disappearing.”
by PC_Sherlock
Friday, February 03 2012, 6:03PM
“Are the police in Leicester (Hinckley Road) really this stupid ??
There are several flat bed transit type vans regularly driving up and down the streets of the West End from Narborough Road to Fosse Road during the daytime touting for metal. These are opportunistic criminals who Do Not have a correct license to carry out home or street collections of scrap metals from the Environment Agency.
They often enter peoples gardens and help themselves to metal items claiming they were told to collect metal for recycling. They all use the same screechy siren sound to awaken and disturb local residents yet the local keystone cops haven't yet mustered enough brain cells to confirm that the drivers of these flat bed and drop sided vehicles are sharing the same license, which is also once again illegal.
Upon speaking to three separate drivers, I a simple retired person was able to ascertain they were from the travelling community. Two of them were also keen to point out that they were at loggerheads with some Albanians who had been taking metal of the streets which was apparently "meant" for them!
Try to report any of this to the police and they will put you on hold take some details and say someone will be in touch. Yet months later its still happening.”