Thieves who stole cablesare branded as heartless

Condemning those responsible for stealing the cables, Mr Devenney said not only had those responsible caused difficulties for road users by plunging the area into darkness, but the elderly population living close by relied on the lights for added security when going to the shops or waiting for public transport.

“We believe the cables were stolen about four weeks ago. That’s when we started getting calls about it, and I have been getting calls regularly for the past two weeks,” said Mr Devenney.

“The problem is that this stretch of road has not yet been adopted by Roads Service, so we are caught in a situation where we have to ask who will replace the cables, Roads Service or the contractor?

“Close to where these cables were taken is an area with a high proportion of elderly residents, who enjoyed a degree of comfort in the knowledge that they had the benefit and security of street lights as they went to the shop locally or when walking down to the bus and home again. While I accept times are difficult, even so questions needs to be asked, like why those responsible are steeling cables from public utilities and more importantly, who are the people who are buying it?” Mr Devenney asked.

Warning that the culprits were tampering with live cables, Mr Devenney said that those who stole cables were putting themselves at risk of electrocution.

“This is nothing but pure theft and in addition they are depriving honest citizens from having access to public services and utilities that they have paid for honestly. I am aware that all manner of metals are being targeted, including lead from roofs, but those who are profiting by buying these metals should be aware that they are handling stolen property, and I hope the full weight of the law will be brought down on them when they are caught and prosecuted,” he said adding: “It takes several hours to remove cables like this and I would also appeal to anyone who sees activity that they think is suspicious to pick up the telephone and report such activity to the police. The police do not mind investigating an honest tip off even though it may not be accurate.”