Gardai in Sligo have now launched a major investigation into the theft of thousands of euro worth of cable from telephone polls in the Sligo Leitrim area.
They state that the cable is being stolen for the copper wiring inside which they will sell on.
And Gardai are now appealing to the public to report any unexplained smoke or fires they spot in remote areas as they believe they will burn off the outer layers of the wire to access the copper.
This crime was first reported in the north Sligo area last week and it’s understood up to €20,000 worth of cable may have been stolen since then.
Hundreds of metres of cable was stolen in the Cashelgarron and Cliffoney areas last week while the latest incident took place in the Kinsellagh and Lugnagall areas of Sligo in the early hours of Tuesday last the 29th of May.
Inspector Ray Mulderrig from Sligo Garda Station says this activity is not only a crime but also extremely dangerous.
He is urging anyone with information no matter how insignificant to contact them.
He’s also appealing to anyone who sees unexplained smoke in rural areas to contact them.
It’s believed the thieves may burn off the outer parts of the wire to gain access to the copper.
In a separte warning, Inspector Mulderrig wants people to be aware that door to door sellers are also visiting homes and some of them are not legitimate.
He says if you don’t feel comfortable answering your front door: Don’t.
In these cases when someone distracts you at the front door, an accomplice could be breaking in through the back door which they know can often be open at this time of the year.
Finally, as many festivals are planned over the bank holiday weekend, the Inspector is warning people not to bring valuables and if you do: lock them inside your vehicle out of sight.
