A gas meter was stolen from outside a block of flats by thieves hoping to sell it on as scrap metal.
The meter was stolen from All Saints Road, Sutton, between 9pm and 11.30pm on Thursday, December 29.
A 76-year-old man discovered the gas meter had been stolen after the flame in his gas fire had gone out.
After unsuccessfully trying to relight the fire, he went outside the property to find it was gone.
An EDF technician who visited the scene said the meter had been removed, professionally capping off all the gas.
Police believe it may have been stolen to be sold on as scrap metal.
The theft follows a series of metal thefts across Sutton, including fourteen metal plaques bearing the names of 243 World War I servicemen being taken from Carshalton war memorial.
Anyone with information on the stolen meter can contact Sutton police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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