Monkeys in India have been stealing electricity meters

But residents in India are powerless to stop a gang of monkeys from stealing their electricity.

Dozens of homes in Delhi have been left without power after cheeky primates ripped electricity meters off the side of their homes.

Angry residents have complained to the authorities but the police are unable to act, according to the Austrian Times.

"Theft laws are for people, not monkeys," said a police spokesman.

Local power supplier BSES Rajdhani revealed they replaced more than 50 stolen meters.

One annoyed resident was puzzled about the monkeys’ motives.

He said: "We don't know what they get out of it but they play with them for a while and then steal another one."