Detectives are turning up the heat on criminals stealing gas heating boilers to order from council houses on a Bradford estate.

Operation Motherwell has been launched by Odsal Police to try to stem a rising tide of thefts in Holme Wood. In recent weeks the combination boilers, each valued at between £800 and £1,000, have been stolen from council houses at the rate of one a day.

Detective Inspector Gary Bates, of Odsal CID, said the boilers were becoming more sought after by burglars than video recorders - fetching more than £100 on the black market.

He said officers had now joined forces with Bradford Council's housing department and local housing associations to tackle the problem.

"As part of Operation Motherwell, alarms will be fitted on selected boilers," he said.

"Police patrols will be increased in problem areas such as Holme Wood, officers will be using stop and search powers, and we will be looking at possible sales outlets."

Det Insp Bates said properties targeted by burglars were either insecure or temporarily unoccupied and awaiting new tenants.

He said: "Sometimes the burglars go armed with a tool box and do a proper job. Other times they just rip the thing off the wall - which can be extremely dangerous."

A Bradford Council housing spokesman said: "We would appeal to people to be vigilant and to contact the police or local housing office if they see anything suspicious."

In the latest incident burglars took a tool box along to a house in Kenton Way, Holme Wood, and attempted to remove a boiler from the kitchen wall. They were disturbed and escaped empty handed.

The two intruders are both described as white males in their mid-20s. One is about 6ft tall, with stubble and untidy, black hair. He wore a black jacket with orange stripe. The other man has mousy, blond hair, and wore a baseball cap and dark jacket and bottoms.

The lookout is described as a white male, in his mid-20s, of thin build, with blond hair. He wore blue jeans and a white sweatshirt.

Anyone with information about this or any other incident is asked to contact Odsal CID on Bradford 376659.