THIEVES are putting lives at risk by attempting to steal outdoor gas and electricity meters in Hartlepool.
Police have received a number of reports from residents claiming they have had problems.
PC Steve Cranston, the town’s crime prevention officer who is based within the Safer Hartlepool Partnership, said: "Live electrical currents run through these meters and thieves could not only be messing with their own lives but also the lives of people living in the buildings they target.
"These sorts of crime have potentially life-threatening consequences and I would urge the thieves to think about that."
Anyone with information is asked to contact Cleveland Police on 01642-326326.
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