A GANG of raiders by Julian Thorpe caused more than £100,000-worth of damage when they stripped more than a tonne of copper — worth less than £6,000 — from a large industrial unit.

Intruders used long poles to disable security cameras before breaking into M & A Pharmaceutical in Wingates Industrial Estate, Westhoughton, and stealing five-inch thick 11,000-volt power cables.

It is thought the thieves first targeted a substation, which is attached to the unit, triggering an alarm at the headquarters of Electricity North West.

The thieves were then able to cut through the massive power cables inside the unit without fear of electrocution, before shipping it away, probably in several visits and using at least one vehicle.

Company boss Frank Armstrong said the damage at the building, which was unused but due to become the company’s main distribution centre, was horrendous.

He said: “They’ve cut all the main heavy power cables out, they’ve broken all the doors and they’ve pulled the ceilings down.

“It’s so bad that we’ve not even been able to get power back on in the building yet.

The damage is well in excess of £100,000.

“At 68 years old, it’s just knocked me for six — it’s knocked the wind out of my sails.

“I work seven days a week building up a business, trying to secure a future for my staff and people are just getting away with murder.”

The raid on M & A Pharmaceutical is the latest of several high-profile metal thefts in Bolton this year.

Only days earlier, thieves targeted Harper Green Leisure Centre in Farnworth and stole 50 yards of cable, which put the floodlights out of action and could cost up to £10,000 to repair.

In May, thieves caused chaos for hundreds of residents when they stole copper wiring from a substation in Westhoughton.

More than 400 homes were left without electricity after a huge power surge sparked fires and caused TVs, kitchen appliances and plug sockets to explode.

In July, thieves broke into four substations across Bolton to steal wire and railways have also been heavily targeted.

The thefts, which have now reached record levels across the country, are driven by soaring copper prices caused by increased demand in China and India.

The price fluctuates rapidly based on demand, but a tonne of copper currently sells for about £5,700.

A United Utilities spokesman said cable thefts and attacks on substations were a major problem, but was unable to say whether they were due to organised crime, opportunist thieves or vandals.

Police confirmed they were investigating the theft and damage. Anyone with information should call 0161 8725050.