Cable thieves leave homes cut off

Hundreds of people in Cambridgeshire have been left without telephone lines after thieves stole underground cables.

The thieves made off with about 500m of cabling from Great Gidding, early in the morning, leaving villagers without telephone lines, police said.

Homes in the village of Steeple Gidding have also been left without telephone lines, as a result of the theft.

BT said it would take about 48 hours to carry out repairs to the cabling and restore the lines.

Cambridgeshire Police have increased patrols in the area and set up a mobile station at the village hall in Great Gidding.

Thieves previously stole cabling from Alconbury Weston in December and October of last year.

Anyone with information about the theft is asked to contact Cambridgeshire Police.