Thieves put lives at risk by stealing gas pipes from council homes

Published by Julien Tremblin for 24dash.com in Housing

Thieves have put residents’ lives in danger by stealing copper gas pipes from council homes in Salisbury.

They have taken a total of 100 m of pipes from 13 council homes in the neighbourhood around Hazel Close and Festival Avenue last week, the BBC reports.

Thieves were apparently after the copper. Wiltshire Police explained the theft was “extremely dangerous”as properties had live gas piping cut through and pulled from walls.

PC Simon Davies said: "This is extremely dangerous and causing great concern to residents and police.

"Not only does it mean a great deal of inconvenience to householders and the utility companies but also puts the offenders and everyone in the area at risk of serious injury."

In a statement, a Wiltshire council spokesman said: “Our staff worked with British Gas to ensure new pipes were installed and residents affected were reconnected to their normal supply the same day.

"We kept the residents updated while the work was going on and provided temporary heating until they were back on the normal supply."

The police asks for anyone with information regarding the theft to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.