"DESPICABLE" thieves have stolen cable from Kempsey's flood defences as work continues to try and make the village safer from flooding.

West Mercia Police has confirmed that 160 metres of the "triflex grey grade cable" (240mm diameter) with copper in it was taken from the village flood defences.

The Environment Agency has so far declined to give the value of the cable stolen and say the flood defences are still operational despite the theft.

The theft happened between 4pm on Wednesday, March 18 and 9am the following day.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said access to the site had been forced. The cable had been secure on the site (locked in the compound) and covered with a tarpaulin.

The Worcester News understands that the thief or thieves gained access through two fields (Lower Ham and Church Meadows) by a vehicle, cut a padlock and took down fencing but this has not been confirmed by police.

Malvern Hills district councillor David Harrison said: "It is disgraceful. Their behaviour is despicable. It's the same as robbing old people. This (flood defences) is the livelihood of a lot of Kempsey residents.

"Should this cause a delay which causes damage to houses due to flood water these people should be accountable and made to pay the full cost of the restoration."

A police spokesman said: "The cable was secure. No arrests have yet been made."

An Environment Agency spokesperson said: "We can confirm there was damage to the Kempsey Flood Alleviation scheme last week, this has not interfered with the current improvement works or caused damage to the pumping station, which remains in full working order to protect the local residents.

"We have a number of security measures in place and are working with the police to identify those responsible. "

As previously reported the Environment Agency is carrying out works to the Kempsey Flood Alleviation Scheme to improve its operational efficiency, effectiveness and resilience.

Funding was secured late summer 2014 and works are due to be completed by Easter.

The £1.7 million flood defences which include a bund and pumps were opened in July 2012.

Around 20 homes were flooded from the Hatfield Brook on Sunday, November 25, 2012 despite the defences when a sensor became submerged so the pumps did not work effectively enough to clear the deluge.

Since the floods an emergency generator was set up so that if the electricity supply to the pumps fails they can still operate.

Manual back-up is now available in the event of the pumps failing with EA staff staff dispatched to the village from Tewkesbury when the brook reaches a certain level before the first of the two pumps kicks in.

Those with information about the theft of the cable can contact West Mercia Police on 101, quoting incident reference 0188s200315.