Thieves target copper at trouble-hit tower blocks (From Echo)

Thieves target copper at trouble-hit tower blocks

2:00pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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LOOTERS stole copper and went on a wrecking rampage in two Laindon tower blocks.

One resident was even trapped in her home by dangerous, exposed wires.

Tenants at the soon-to-be-demolished Royal Court flats have condemned the reckless thieves.

They have also criticised police and Basildon Council, claiming both had failed to act when residents reported the first wave of thefts, leaving the thieves free to strike again.

Jackie McLaughlan, 69, said: “When I opened my door, every single wire you could think of was hanging down.

“I couldn’t get out of my front door.

“You wonder what they are going to take next. They are stripping the place bare.”

The flats have become a magnet for yobs, thieves and drug-taking youngsters.

Mrs McLaughlan was at her home in block A last Thursday night when she said she heard banging and dragging noises.

It was only when she went to leave her home the next morning she discovered wiring running around the ceiling had been ripped out.

The wires supplied electricity to each of the homes.

The thieves had torn out the earthing wires from plastic casing, cutting it to pull out the copper and left the bare wires exposed.

Mrs McLaughlan, who is due to move into a new council development nearby, in about eight weeks time, reported the incident to police and Basildon Council.

She was visited by a police community support officer who told her he would view the footage when he returned from holiday in a week’s time.

Basildon Council’s electricity contractor also failed to show up and by Friday night the thieves had struck again, stealing even more wire.

Mrs McLaughlan added: “They finally brought security guards in here on Saturday, but it was a bit like closing the stable door after the horse had bolted.

“We’re always getting kids in here hanging around, spitting on the walls and doors and smoking God knows what.”

Roger Grimwade, spokesman for Essex Police, said officers were probing the thefts and reviewing CCTV footage.

He added: “This is all probably linked to the increasing value of metal given the world demand, which is making it attractive to thieves.”

Frank Tomlin, cabinet member responsible for housing, said: “This was a shameful act of crime and vandalism and we will work with the police to ensure those who carried out this act are caught.”