Metal thieves strike for the second time at Coseley home

The raiders struck at the property in Robert Wynd, Coseley, causing distress for 66-year-old Glenis Pearce who is a full-time carer to her disabled husband.

She first noticed the pipes, which were replacements for ones stolen on June 12, were missing from the wall of her home on Sunday morning.

Mrs Pearce, who cares for her husband John, aged 70, said she was shocked by the theft.

"I couldn't believe it had happened again," she said. "My husband is severely disabled and has four carers visit each day.

"We need the gas to keep the house warm. They were covered in anti-theft paint, which means it will be all over the people who took them."

More than half a dozen properties were targeted in the first raids last month.

Terraced houses in nearby Clifton Street were among those hit.

Mrs Pearce had been woken by a loud noise at 4am and when she went downstairs she could smell gas.

Fire crews from Dudley and Bilston were called to Clifton Street after residents reported a strong smell of gas at 7am.

They found strips of copper gas piping cut off on one end of the row of properties. Police also attended the scene as a precaution.

A National Grid spoke said it was 'incredibly dangerous' for people to cut pipes.

Other properties in Coseley have also been raided by metal thieves during the the past year.

Around £15,000 worth of air conditioning units and copper piping was stolen from a property in Whitehouse Street in January.

Hurst Hill Primary School has also been hit by metal thefts, which have caused thousands of pounds of damage.

The property was targeted five times between November and mid-December.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or to ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.