The Codiac Regional RCMP say someone is climbing telephone and hydro poles in greater Moncton and stealing copper wire from Bell Aliant and NB Power poles.

RCMP suspect a gang of thieves is responsible for the thick copper wire being stolen from both Bell Aliant and NB Power. (Marc Genuist/CBC) Police have recorded five incidents of copper theft in the area in the past month, said Staff Sgt. Maurice Comeau.

"It's all big wire lines that are being stolen. We suspect it's probably the same people," he said.

But RCMP have no leads and are hoping the public can help, said Comeau.

The latest incident occurred on Monday night, when a long stretch of 10-centimetre thick wire was stolen from the Bell Aliant lines that run next to Riverview High School, he said.

"They were cut right off the poles and 80 metres of wire was stolen."

The theft knocked out phone and internet service to about 500 Bell Aliant customers in Riverview, the company said in an emailed statement.

Technicians have been working around the clock to repair the damage, the statement said.

The other thefts occurred in Dieppe at 100 Rufin St., in Moncton at 80 Commerce St., 80 McNaughton Ave., and 290 Storey Road and in Riverview at 400 Whitepine Rd.