Police are investigating a theft which left entire blocks of flats without lighting, endangering residents.

At a council meeting for Epping Forest District Council, last night, Councillor David Stallan announced that thieves had managed to break into electrical cupboards in Chigwell before stealing equipment and causing serious damage.

He said: “Some time between 8.15 and 9.00 on Friday April 12 thieves gained access to six separate electrical intake cupboards serving the maisonette blocks in Limes Avenue and Copperfield, Chigwell.

“They stole a quantity of relays and time clocks, fuses and lighting controls that serve the communal lighting and emergency lighting to the blocks.

“The electrician discovered that thieves had gained access using a fire brigade key and stolen the equipment installed 20 years ago as part of a Limes Farm improvement scheme.”

Council officers working in Limes Farm noticed that the lights were out and notified the electrician who found that not only had equipment been stolen, but the leftover wires and cables had been cut leaving them exposed and too short to use.

As a result of the theft residents will have to have the lights on in the communal areas at all times, until they can be fixed.

Councillor Stallan said: “For the time being the communal and emergency lights will remain on permanently.”

Councillor Stallan said that CCTV images from the council’s cameras had been passed to the police who are carrying out an investigation.

Anybody who may have any information regarding the theft should call the police on 101.