Thieves setting fire to copper cable so that its plastic coating burns off have been returning to steal the remaining metal after firefighters have left the scene, it’s been revealed.

Once plastic coating is burnt off the wire, it can be sold for around three times the price it would otherwise fetch.

Now Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service is working with police to track down the tricksters.

Rather than leave after putting out the fires, firefighters now guard the cable and wait for the police.

Det Con Kevin McDermott, Greater Manchester Police’s fire liaison officer, told the Manchester Evening News: “They noticed that within five or ten minutes of driving off, they had seen people removing the wire.

“They are burning the plastic off because they get more at the scrapyard. Metal theft is still a big problem – the scrap value of the metal is still increasing.”