The thefts of copper piping happened overnight at six houses in Tividale as the occupants slept.

The area has seen a spate of similar thefts recently. Merchants say the price of copper is at an all time high.

Police say the practice endangers both the people inside the properties and also the culprits.

Angela Vanes, who woke up to smell gas after two metres of copper piping was cut from her house, said: "I thought we could blow up at any moment."

At nearby Grace Mary Primary School �100,000 worth of damage was caused when thieves stole three foot of water piping.

'Serious injuries'

Thieves ended up in hospital when the boiler they were trying to steal from a house West Bromwich exploded.

And 20,000 homes and businesses in the Black Country were without power earlier this month when thieves took copper earthing cable from an electricity sub-station on Dudley Road.

"This is so dangerous not only for the people inside the house but also for the persons doing it," Insp John Pickard said.

"They're using whatever means to cut the pipe and they are going to create a spark and cause themselves some serious injuries."

None of the scrap metal merchants asked for an interview wished to be named, but said copper has seen a three-fold increase in the last 12 months.