CRIMINALS have caused more than £14,000 worth of damage in a picturesque Ribble Valley village.
Metal thieves stripped 200 metres of overhead electrical wire from outside a farm in Balderstone, causing major damage and putting their own lives at risk.
Engineers believe thieves climbed the electricity pole and may even have been wearing high visibility jackets to appear official.
Phil Briggs, Lancashire area response manager for Electricity North West, said: “We now receive at least one report of metal theft a day across the region and it causes thousands of pounds worth of damage and affects livelihoods and also vulnerable people, including the elderly, who may live on their own.
“These criminals are knowledgeable and know what they are doing, so we are urging people if you do hear or see anything or your electricity goes off in the middle of the night please ring us so we can investigate.” Anyone with information, call Electricity North West’s emergency number on 0800 1954141 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
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