THE lives of many elderly and vulnerable people in the Cotswolds have been put at risk by vandals who cut off them off from the outside world for almost two weeks by destroying vital emergency care lines.

The vandals struck at Moor Lane, Fairford, in the early hours of Saturday, April 21 when, as part of a wrecking spree around the town, they tore cables from a telephone connection cabinet.

The cables, many of which connected the residents to an emergency care line, had been exposed earlier in the day after a car accidentally struck the pavement mounted cabinet belonging to BT, which has so far been unable to reconnect the lines.

The care lines link directly to Fosseway Housing Association, which is automatically alerted if anyone in trouble activates the alarm.

Police believe a group of youths was responsible for the mindless destruction which included tearing up plants and damaging property in Courtbrook and the Market Place.

Residents in Moor Lane had to be lent mobile phones by friends and relatives so they could get in touch if the need arose.

Mayor Chris Roberts told the Standard this week: "Lives are at risk here, Moor Lane is predominately housing for older people. It's these elderly, vulnerable people who are suffering.

"We have been keeping our fingers crossed that no emergencies take place.

"If anyone collapsed over the past two weeks what would happen to them and who would know? A lot of these people live on their own."

Some residents who contacted BT were initially told the lines would not be restored until the end of May.

When contacted by the Standard on Tuesday, however, BT said all the repairs were due to be completed soon and the lines would be restored by this morning, Thursday.

BT spokesman Chris Orum said: "We are confident we will get it repaired in the next day or two.

"It was only about eight lines that were down and we do apologise to all the customers who were affected.

"However it was a large job and it was not possible in this case to provide a temporary service to the affected houses."

Anyone who has any information about the vandalism is urged to contact the police on 0845 0901234 or confidentially through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.