A VILLAGE which has been struck four times in two months by cable thieves is “on the radar” of council priorities, according to the county councillor for the area.

Barrington has been victim to the four cable thefts over that short period. There have also been problems elsewhere in Crow country, including Harston and Ashwell.

County councillor Susan van de Ven said that, although she wasn’t sure what the solution could be, it would be something that Cambridge County Council would hopefully look at in one of its Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committees.

She told The Crow: “It affects many many people, including those who work from home and run businesses in the area.

“I don’t know what the answer is. It’s a difficult one.

“It’s a serious problem in rural areas. I mentioned it to a friend who works in the city, and I haven’t heard of any thefts there.

“The scale of it is really quite breathtaking. I have been affected a couple of times.”

Cllr van de Ven said that she had heard the problem previously mentioned at county council meetings and that, although it was too late to be included in yesterday’s (Wednesday) community scrutiny committee, it was hoped to be discussed at one later in the year.

She added: “It’s definitely on the radar - it’s a subject of discussion at a lot of meetings I have attended, including county council ones.

“I know that in our last meeting in July, there was a presentation on these types of crimes. I wouldn’t assume that no-one is trying to address it.

“It’s only when it happens that you realise the impact. The people it most affects is the old and vulnerable - that is what tends to spring to mind.”