Three men are facing trial after equipment including ladders worth £60,000 was stolen from United Utilities’ sewers in Nantwich.
They were arrested by a quick-witted police officer from Cheshire who recognised their van details from case files. They were later charged with the theft of 30 ladders on Thursday May 26.
All have since appeared at South Cheshire Magistrates Court and have been bailed to the same court on July 5. The defendants are Robert Barker, 26, of Anderton Street, Wigan, Christopher Boylan, 25, Keswick Place, Wigan, and Patrick Latham, 26, of Lime Street, Wigan.
A spokesperson for the utility firm said: “We know that the theft of all types of scrap metal is up. “The theft of manhole covers and ladders has been a problem for some time now, water bill payer’s end up paying for replacements.
“We intend to crack down on anyone caught stealing or dealing in metal belonging to United Utilities. We’re appealing to members of the public to report any suspicious activity around treatment works or workmen in non-livery United Utility vans opening manhole covers, particularly in the evenings and overnight, to the police or United Utilities.”
