A THIEF who stole copper cable from the side of a motorway is wanted by police.

Officers have released images of a man they suspect smashed a CCTV camera, and caused £2,500 damage at a transmission station, at the side of the M6.

The raid happened close to junction 29, at Bamber Bridge, where the M6 joins the M65 and M61.

Police said the man entered from a nearby housing estate, at 4pm, on Sunday, January 29.

Sgt Sean Cunningham said: “Not only has the offender committed an offence by entering the motorway carriageway as a pedestrian, he has stolen copper cable and, in the process, damaged a security camera and roof tiles.

“Anyone trespassing on the motorway is committing a criminal offence and will be prosecuted. Not only that, but people risk their lives if they walk on the motorway.”

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the motorway unit, at Samlesbury, on 101.