Thieves ripped copper piping from 23 homes at the weekend, leaving behind gas leaks and a ticking time bomb for residents.
The metal raiders pulled copper piping away from gas meters fixed outside the buildings, to sell the metal on, and caused gas to leak.

The thefts, happened in Scunthorpe between 11pm on Friday July 11 and 6am on Saturday July 12. The thieves caused more than £2,000 worth of damage.

Police are now urging tradesman, who are forced to leave vehicles unattended overnight with copper on board, to ensure it is in fully secured storage or if possible, remove the copper from the vehicle overnight.

Residents of the affected block of flats were left without heating, hot water or cooking facilities until repairs were made to replace the stolen pipes with less valuable piping.

Inspector Dave Hall of Humberside Police said “This is just another example of how reckless the opportunist thieves stealing metals are getting. “Removing this piece of copper pipe from a meter can cause gas leaks which could have serious consequences'.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222.