Copper thieves cause gas leak risk

Feb 23 2008 by Liam Murphy, Liverpool Daily Post

GANGS of thieves are cutting gas pipes at houses across Wirral to make money from the scrap metal.

Police have launched a major operation to stamp out the crimes.

And chief inspector Mark Harrison warned he would be pressing for prosecutions.

He said: “It’s emerging as a problem.

“The key message is I do not think they realise how serious this is. When they are arrested they will not be being prosecuted for criminal damage, but criminal damage with intent to endanger life, with carries a significant custodial sentence.”

He said the thieves were targeting residential properties even while occupied.

Now Merseyside Police is issuing a warning to anyone involved in the theft of or handling of stolen copper pipes.

The thieves are cutting gas pipes on houses, which is resulting in gas leaking out of cut pipes in built- up residential areas.