HUNDREDS of metres of copper cabling have been stolen from locations near Merriott.

Police were alerted in the early hours of Tuesday (February 8) when a telecommunications company reported alarms going off indicating the theft of cabling.

By the time officers arrived at the sites the offenders had fled.

The extent of the theft was not appreciated until engineers attended later the same morning.

An Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson said: "Police were called at about 1.45am on Tuesday 8 February by a telecommunications company reporting alarms indicating the theft of cabling.

"Officers attended the locations near Merriott given for the alarms at about 2am but found no trace of the offenders.

"House-to-house enquiries have been carried out.

"When engineers attended in daylight hours they found hundreds of metres of copper cabling had been stolen between Eggwood Hill and the A356."

If you saw anything suspicious in the area between midnight and 2am on Tuesday or have dashcam or CCTV footage which could help the investigation, call police on 101 and give the reference number 5222031651.

Alternatively ring the independent charity Crimestoppers 100 per cent anonymously on 0800 555 111.