Byline: NICK LAVIGUEUR
Two women connected to the investigation were also sentenced.The area was deemed safe a few hours later and by 11:30am people had been allowed to return to their homes.Items including pounds 450 worth of copper cable and pounds 200 worth of copper discs were recovered.And 12 people were reported for not having the appropriate waste carriers licence.Inspector Damien Miller, of the Holbeck Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "The fact is they are not only risking their lives, but they are also putting the lives of other members of the public at risk.Northumbria Police's Outer West Newcastle Neighbourhood Insp Mick Farrell said: "These five were involved in burglaries at industrial and business premises across the force and the CID team here launched an investigation.The 29-year-old man from Morley was admitted to Leeds General Infirmary last Wednesday evening after suffering serious burns to his body.Northern Gas Networks spokeswoman, Gwen Allen, said they had worked alongside emergency services to make the scene safe.PC Euan Faulke, of Northumbria Police's Byker and Walker Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "We've had several thefts of lead recently, mainly involving lead being stolen from people''s porches and roofs. "It's important if residents see a crime or suspicious activity - such as people on roofs of homes and porches - they contact police as soon as possible.All three defendants have now been sentenced for their roles in the raids."This is particularly important when thieves break into sites, because young children could then easily access these sites and put themselves at danger.Traffic was also diverted while the gas supply to the area was cut and the area made safe.The woman triggered the blast after turning on a kitchen light but escaped the property unharmed.Operation Yard focused on burglaries on business and industrial premises throughout the Northumbria Police force area.A TERRIFYING gas blast in Mirfield was caused by scrap metal thieves, police have revealed."I would urge criminals to consider the life-threatening risks they are taking, and I would also urge parents to warn their children of the risks they would be taking when entering or playing on disused industrial sites that are often the target for such thefts.""Inquiries led to them being arrested and charged with conspiracy to burgle."We'll continue to use every tool at our disposal and work closely with other area commands and force resources to make sure offenders are brought to justice for their crimes."Officers were called to the hospital at around 7pm by a doctor but the man later discharged himself and refused to speak to detectives about the incident.Rachel Taylor, 21, of Kielder Road, Lemington, was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for two years with supervision required for 12 months together with 80 hours of unpaid work.A 53-year old woman, who had been in the house at the time of the explosion, was not injured by the blast.CAPTION(S):Over a crime campaign lasting more than a year, the crooks raided industrial premises all over Newcastle and Gateshead."The quicker it's reported, the quicker we can get there and it helps us trace those people who are responsible."I am therefore appealing for anyone with any information on this incident, or anybody who has witnessed any people looking for, or trying to obtain, scrap metal in and around the Mirfield area over the last few days to contact me via or 01924 431012."People living in the Walkergate area of Newcastle have been the victims of a spate of thefts. Police are now urging residents to report any information they have about metal thefts and to alert police to any suspicious activities in the area.
* WRECKED: A wall was blown out by the gas explosion at Hepworth Lane, Mirfield. Below, a road is cordoned off on Sunday (JH280311Gmirfield-03)
No comments:
Post a Comment