Cable is stolen in spate of metal thefts at homes

More than 20 homes have been targeted by thieves stealing phone and internet cables in overnight raids in Walsall and Willenhall, it emerged today.

Homes in Darlaston and Bentley have mainly been targeted – with 17 incidents reported since the start of the month.

The latest raids happened in Willenhall after three homes were targeted in Aberford Close overnight from Tuesday evening to yesterday morning. Police investigating the crimes say they have stepped up patrols in all three areas

And they have been warning both residents and scrap metal merchants to be extra vigilant.

Manu Singh, aged 28, said he thought it was an internal problem with his internet until the police arrived the following morning.

The factory worker said: "I couldn't connect for around four or five hours.

"I work nights and thought it was a problem with my router, I only found out what had happened when the police came around in the morning."

Sergeant Jackie Nicholson, from Willenhall police station, said a mixture of internet and phone cabling was being cut through but only small amounts was taken.

She said: "Police are committing extra resources overnight and are targetting patrols in those areas affected. Officers have been talking to scrap metal traders to make them extra vigilant. There are three or four metres of cable being taken at a time, to the value of about 50p. It is not worth much.

"We are trying to establish the motive for this."

She warned that the thefts were causing a substantial cost to residents to get the line repaired by phone and broadband providers. Sgt Nicholson added: "It's difficult to say if these are linked."

Short Heath Councillor Doreen Shires said it was a very "worrying trend" and could prove to be dangerous if residents living in a targeted property are left unable to use their phone lines to make an emergency call. Anyone who notices anything suspicious is asked to call 101.