Copper from Perthshire electrical cables stolen

A GANG of metal thieves risked their lives to steal 300 metres of copper wire, worth only £500, from overhead electrical cables in a Perthshire field, it was revealed today.

Picture: Police Scotland

The metal was stolen between Monday and Thursday from a grassy field next to the Dunning junction at Milton of Forteviot, adjacent to the B935 Bridge of Earn to Forgandenny road.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “The stolen metal is valued at about £500, with the damage caused estimated at about £1000. The 1.6mm thick copper appears to have been cut in strands of approximately 50-metres – an exercise that would have taken some time to complete and would have required a suitable vehicle.”

He warned: “This is dangerous and reckless behaviour. Aside from the illegal behaviour involved in these types of incidents, the thieves are exposing themselves and others to significant danger and risk to life. Tayside Division appeals to anyone who was in the area this week and who saw anything suspicious to call 101 or speak to any officer.”

The latest metal theft in Scotland was revealed as Scottish Power announced a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to the conviction of thieves who steal metal from electricity substations.