thieves stole £50,000-worth of copper from a York construction site where a new £10 million hotel is being built.

Burglars broke into the Hilton Express building site at Toft Green, which hotel operator Hampton By Hilton is developing, between 3pm on Saturday and 2.30am on Monday and stole a large amount of copper cabling, which had recently been installed.

They also tried to steal building equipment, copper piping and other metal from the site.

PC Andrew Pearson, of York Police, said the large amount stolen meant he was “absolutely positive” someone would have seen suspicious activity in the area.

He said: “I am urging anyone who was in the area during the time of the burglary, and may have seen any suspicious activity, to come forward and contact the police or Crimestoppers as soon as possible.

PC Pearson, who is heading the investigation into the theft, said: “I am urging any scrap metal dealers who may be offered the cabling to contact the police straight away.”

He said the incident caused significant damage to the site, which is being developed into a six-storey, 119-bed hotel.

Anyone who can help the police with their inquiries is asked to phone York Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 5655 111.

The Press revealed last month that metal thieves struck more than three times a day on average during 2011 in North Yorkshire, causing misery and expense for residents, businesses, schools, churches and rail passengers.

The Metal Theft (Prevention) Bill, aimed at introducing a licensing scheme for scrap metal dealers, banning cash-in-hand deals and giving police more powers to search scrapyards, is intended to tackle the national problem.