Thieves could have killed us – for £2 of copper gas pipe (From Echo)

Thieves could have killed us – for £2 of copper gas pipe

8:00am Friday 15th June 2012 in Local News By Gina Marden

RECKLESS thieves put lives at risk by ripping a gas pipe from a wall for just £2 worth of copper.

The crooks’ actions left gas escaping from the pipe of the flat at Neville Shaw, Basildon, and the owners were only alerted after a worried commuter spotted the leak and called the gas company.

Jenny Green, 29, had been asleep at her home when the thieves struck.

They cut through the exposed gas mains pipe from the outside wall, to steal about half a metre of copper piping.

Miss Green was woken with a start by gas company officials banging at her flat door to warn her the gas was leaking.

A passer-by heard hissing from the leaking pipe, and, after smelling the gas, called emergency gas repairs.

Miss Green said: “The copper piping was worth about £2.

“It’s just ridiculous. I can’t do anything – I can’t cook, I’ve got no heating and no hot water and who knows how much it will cost for us to have it repaired.

“It’s really frightening and so dangerous because until the person knocked at the door, I had no idea there was a gas leak.

“If I had lit the hob to make some breakfast, the whole place could have gone up.

“I’m just really thankful someone reported it to the gas company.”

Police are appealing for witnesses. A spokesman said: “This theft was completely reckless as the suspects showed no regard for the safety of others.

“The thieves cut through a gas mains supply pipe which could have exploded at any time.”

Witnesses to the theft, which happened overnight, between Tuesday evening and 7am yesterday, can call police at Basildon on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.