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'It's a free for all for metal thieves'
METAL thieves are now using digging equipment to get to underground cables they can steal to scrap.
Police have been called to a number of incidents in recent weeks to the derelict Steetley site and the nearby Brus Tunnel, in the West View area of Hartlepool, following reports of cables and piping being stolen.
The theft of metal has been a long-running problem in the area and it appears thieves could now even be using excavating equipment to access metal from underground.
In a bid to crackdown on the problem police have been carrying out night time patrols and a security guard has been employed by the owner of the former chemical works.
Council chiefs have also urged people to call police if they see anything suspicious.
Sergeant Alan Perry, of Hartlepool Police, said: "We are aware of several incidents that have been reported in that area.
"As a result the owners of the Steetley site have employed a security guard to patrol that area and we have established night time patrols.
"Officers are asked to challenge any suspicious vans carrying loads of scrap metal and cabling away in the Headland and West View area of town.
"We have received reports of thieves attempting to dig up cables in that area, but there has been a reduction since the security guard was employed and the patrols started."
The issue was highlighted by Councillor John Marshall, of the St Hilda ward, who said the "area is becoming a free for all" and that lives are being put "at risk" because of it.
Coun Marshall said: "The whole area is becoming a free for all for metal thieves at the moment.
"They are digging up whatever and wherever they can to get their hands on some scrap. They have even started using machinery to get piping from the beach near the Steetley site.
"These thieves load their vehicles with scrap and drive off through town, breaking any number of laws, on the way to the scrap yards."
Coun Marshall said thieves have also targeted the Brus Tunnel in recent weeks and stolen cables from beneath public footpaths.
He added: "Lives are being put at risk and public rights of way are being closed because footpaths are now too dangerous to walk along.
"Almost everything you can think of is being targeted."
A spokesman for Hartlepool Borough Council said: "We would urge anyone witnessing the theft of metal to contact the police immediately."
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Weather for Hartlepool
Sunday 27 May 2012
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