Police are targeting street light thieves

There have now been five reported incidents of copper being stolen from street light cables in the Ballymoney and Moyle areas in the last two months.

It is believed the high price of scrap metal had led to thieves even risk electrocution to get their hands on copper.

And there are also concerns that local people’s safety is being put in danger by street lights being left off before repairs can take place.

Previously copper was stolen from street lights in Ballymoney, Liscolman and Derrykeighan but it has now emerged that there have been two more thefts - this time in Cushendall and Loughgiel.

Police in Ballymoney released details of the Loughgiel theft this week but it is believed the theft of the quantity of underground cabling associated with street lights near Loughgiel Chapel on the Coolkeeran Road happened on Friday January 20.

Inspector David Anderson of Ballymoney PSNI said: “We have been encouraging our officers to stop and check out the bona fides of contractors working at street lights.

“This is to ensure thieves aren’t posing as legitimate workers to access the cables.

“And we want to hear from anyone who sees anybody working at lights to get in touch with us if they see anything they think is suspicious around street lights, even during the daylight hours. They can phone us or Roads Service.”

Police can be contacted on 08456008000.