Reckless metal thieves caused an “enormous safety risk” by stealing gas pipes – causing police to evacuate homes and businesses in Saltaire village.

More than 30 people were told to leave their homes and businesses yesterday as police cordoned off a large section of Victoria Road amid fears the gas leak may cause an explosion.

The thieves also struck in Bingley Road and George Street, ripping metal pipes from properties to sell on for scrap, a gas company spokesman said.

“This would appear to have been a hugely reckless series of thefts,” said the spokesman for Northern Gas Networks. “Tampering with private gas pipes poses enormous risk to public safety, and it would seem these thieves were prepared to endanger lives for the sake of a few lengths of copper with minimal scrap value.”

Allan Booth, a partner of Rance, Booth and Smith Architects in Victoria Road, said a staff member had smelled gas at about 7.40am and prevented other workers from going into the office.

Investigations showed the thieves had stolen a section of copper pipe leading to a first-floor flat rented to a tenant by the architects.

Mr Booth said the gas supply had been turned off soon afterwards.

He said: “Police arrived later because residents could smell gas quite strongly and they were advising everybody to get out.

“A length of copper gas pipe was stolen from the back of the building, which was the cause of the smell of gas.”

Mr Booth said thieves had also stolen four external door handles. “It is a bit strange because three of the handles wouldn’t have had any scrap value, they were coated steel.”

Meanwhile, police are scouring CCTV footage in an attempt to identify thieves who stole valuable metal from historic buildings in Bradford city centre.

The Victorian name plate, letter box and other brass fittings have been ripped from the door of the Prudential Buildings, an apartment block in Ivegate, Bradford.

Officers are also investigating reports of a similar theft at the nearby Co-operative Bank, at the junction of Ivegate and Tyrrel Street.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said inquiries were on-going into the thefts.

Any witnesses or anyone with information about such incidents should call Bradford South Police on 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.