Thieves have been risking their lives, and those of the public, by angle grinding off live power lines in Devon.

Police are increasingly concerned about the highly-dangerous cable thefts in and around Ivybridge and south Dartmoor that have been taking place over the past three weeks.

The thieves are cutting live National Grid power cables and other parts of the infrastructure from pylons with angle grinders - and leaving extremely dangerous high-voltage ends behind.

Police are currently investigating a total of six incidents.

The spate of thefts started in mid-December, with incidents in Plympton, Harscombe, Ivybridge and twice in the Lee Moor area.

The most recent incident took place on Monday (January 2) off the A38 at Sherford where thieves stole 70 metres of copper cable.

Sector Inspector Steven Philp said: “Live power cables present an exceptional risk not only to the perpetrators of these crimes, but also innocent members of the public.

“We strongly request that members of the community do not approach any damaged or suspicious looking electrical equipment but to report immediately to the police.

“The staff from the National Grid will always be wearing full uniform, carrying ID and be driving a marked vehicle.

“We encourage that any suspicious activity involving the power grid is reported to the police.”

“If you witness individuals working on the power lines without the appropriate uniform, please call 999.”

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If you have any information that could help with enquiries, you are asked to contact Devon and Cornwall Police via their website devon-cornwall.police.uk or by calling 101, also quoting Operation Langstone and reference number 50220058345.