A thief who has been causing havoc across Fife by stealing metal from businesses, homes and public areas has cut through a live electric wire causing an explosion.

It is believed the incident occurred during the night or in the early hours of Monday morning. PC Ross Philp said “During the break-in, an amount of copper piping and copper wiring was stolen and while in the yard the thief also cut through a live 240 volt cable, causing an electrical blast.”

The explosion that occurred was not life threatening but it is highly likely that the thief is injured and will need medical attention.

Police services are concerned and are keen to trace the thief not only to deal with the criminal issues but to ensure of their wellbeing.

This incident comes after two men were charged with stealing electric cable from a quary. The two men were caught during the attempt and were later charged.

They then found the men had dug two four feet-deep trenches, exposing a length of the buried cable and were preparing to steal it. The cable was connected to a disused outbuilding.

Metal theft which risks lives and costs the UK around £770 million per year has been described by police as “frightening”.