House’s central heating stolen!

AN Oldham homeowner discovered thieves had broken into his property — and made off with his central heating boiler!

The 40-year-old man called the police after he found boards had been prised from the windows of his Longfield Crescent house, currently under renovation, at 8am on Tuesday.

A white combi-boiler had been ripped from the kitchen and 20 metres of copper piping had been dragged from under the floorboards. A copper tank from upstairs and a number of bicycles were also stolen.

Police found the stolen boiler in the back garden of a near-by property. Two men, aged 51 and 23, and a 25-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of burglary and have been bailed until January 6.

The incident has prompted new concerns about metal thieves putting lives at risk to make fast money.

PC Stephen Bryant said: “What can be overlooked is the risks involved in stealing boilers and piping — particularly if the gas is still on.”

Last week thieves risked the lives of residents at a block of flats in Heywood, by cutting through a pipe while the gas was on.

Greater Manchester Police have been mounting a major offensive on metal thefts as part of Operation Alloy, aimed at those making cash by selling stolen metals.

Alloy team member PC Bryant added: “We are clamping down on every means of offloading stolen metal, including regular visits to scrap yards to check who is trying to sell what.”

Anyone with information should call police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800-555 111.