POLICE and fire officers chased a gang of copper thieves around Monk Bretton, Athersley and Smithies as they snatched pipes from at least six houses.
The thieves caused chaos and left homes without heating and gas for several hours - as well as endangering residents' lives.
The gang first struck at about 9pm on Wednesday and thefts were reported throughout the night until about 5am yesterday. Fire, police and National Grid officers had to knock residents up in the early hours so they could turn off the gas supply and make properties safe.
Jody Hirst, 27, of Alderson Drive said she was woken by noises in the night and disturbed two young lads putting a ladder up the side of her house.
They had already pulled some of the pipe work off the wall and left a four metre length hanging off with gas leaking out.
