Fed up with the rising theft of telephone wires, the residents of Tikathali, Lamatar and Lubhu in Lalitpur have attached an alarm to the telephone poles so a siren goes off whenever it is touched. There has been a spurt in wire vandalism by thieves who steal them to sell the copper inside. But the burglars have found a way around it: they now steal the wires during power cuts when the alarm is disabled. Three months ago a whole section of telephone wires were stolen in Lamatar. Residents say wire thefts see a rise when the festive season apporaches. The police have been accused of not taking action, although the police say they have jailed seven groups involved in stealing wires. One of them was caught stealing a 400 m section of telephone wire surrounding the Lubhu exchange. Residents also blame Nepal Telecom which allows the wires to dangle so they are within easy grasp.