POLICE are increasing patrols in rural areas following a spate of thefts of overhead power cables.

The latest incident involved 600 metres of live electricity wires being stolen from the roadside on Rumby Hill Lane in Crook, County Durham, sometime overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The cost of replacing it is estimated at £2,000.

At about 2.45am on Saturday, cables were also stolen from the Page Bank area in Spennymoor, causing power cuts to several nearby homes.

Durham Police are linking the incidents with similar thefts which occurred recently in Binchester and Eldon, in County Durham.

Other incidents have also been reported in Peterlee and North Yorkshire.

Sergeant Dave Lyall said: "This is clearly a very dangerous and stupid practice for what are likely to be relatively small sums of money.

"There is no guarantee the power will be cut and the offenders run a very real risk of serious injury or death."

The thieves are thought to throw a length of conducting material, such as a metal chain, over the cables, causing them to fuse.

Ladders, or a van roof, is then used to reach the cables, which are cut with what is thought to be a bolt croppers.

The wires have all been stolen in quiet areas such as country lanes in the hours of darkness.

Police are appealing for members of the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity around overhead cables.

"These people may be wearing hi-visibility jackets to appear genuine but it is unlikely their vehicles will fit the circumstances," added Sgt Lyall.

"We would rather get a report of a potential theft in progress and then find out they are genuine electricity workers, than not to receive a report.

"Other victims to these crimes are the communities who find themselves without electricity. Often essentials such as heating, cookers and freezers are affected, resulting in disruption to many families."

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham Police on 0345-60-60-365 or Crimestoppers on 0800-555-111.