Suspected cable thieves abandon van stuck in ditch

Suspected thieves who tried to steal 1,312ft (400m) of underground cable got their van stuck in a ditch in the process, a police force has said.

An apparent cable heist in Abbots Ripton, near Huntingdon, "didn't go as expected", said Cambridgeshire Police.

The force seized the stranded van, and discovered it had been stolen from the county in October.

"Cable theft is not just a crime – it can leave homes and businesses without power, phones and internet and cost thousands to repair," said a force spokesperson.

"If you see anything suspicious – people working on cables late at night, unusual activity near roadside boxes, or vehicles parked in rural areas – please call us immediately on 999 if a crime is in progress, or 101 to report information."

The force said people could also contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.