THOUSANDS of pounds worth of copper is being stolen from street lights every month as thieves risk their lives to get their hands on scrap metal.

Taxpayers will have to foot a bill of more than £35,000 to replace the cabling stolen in County Durham’s villages and rural areas over the past three months alone.

Durham County Council has teamed up with Durham Police to try to combat the spate of thefts and are planning a joint campaign.

Acting Inspector Dave Coxon said: “These recent thefts have an impact in all our communities.

“Thieves are placing themselves and members of the public at significant risk by pulling down and cutting through live cables.”

Over recent weeks, thefts have been reported from across the county including incidents in Bowburn, Ushaw Moor, Esh Winning, Quebec, Eldon, Coundon and Stainton Village.

County council highways delivery manager Steven Blakemore said: “Street lighting electricians are carrying out costly repairs in the areas where the thefts have taken place.

“The replacement cables are plastic coated with minimal copper content and no scrap value, but this work puts an unnecessary burden on the taxpayer and could ultimately affect future spending in the communities.”

Cabinet member for the environment, Councillor Bob Young said: “This is costing council taxpayers thousands of pounds when financially times are already difficult.

Anyone witnessing suspicious activity is asked to ring the police on 0345-60-60-365 and unlit sections of the road can be reported on the highways action line 0191-370-6000.