Whinny Hagg Lane between Thorpe Willoughby and Hambleton dug up by cable thieves (From York Press)

Whinny Hagg Lane between Thorpe Willoughby and Hambleton dug up by cable thieves

8:22am Monday 26th October 2009 in

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THREE men have been arrested on suspicion of stealing copper cabling by digging up a road.

The three were arrested in Whinny Hagg Lane between Thorpe Willoughby and Hambleton complete with a JCB, white van and Stihl saw. It is thought they had actually dug a hole in the road and installed signage. But police were called after a local resident thought the men were behaving suspiciously.

Insp Chris Witty, of Selby Police, said it appeared as if the three men were posing as highways engineers. Insp Witty said the three were found with all the usual equipment, including a JCB digger, white van and Stihl saw.

They were arrested at 10am on Tuesday on suspicion of stealing up to £5,000-worth of copper cabling from beneath the road.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said it showed how the police rely on information from the public in some cases and how the public can make a real difference.

A 29-year-old man and two 25-year-olds, all from Humberside, have since been released on police bail pending further inquiries.