They say thieves will steal anything – and some criminals are proving that point by plumbing new depths.

Water supplying Queen's Hills has been siphoned off from the housing estate's main pipe.

Police were called on Friday to the unfinished development at Costessey and found somebody had been illegally tapping into the water supply on the road leading to the estate, Sir Alfred Munnings Road.

It is not known who put the standpipe in and police told the Evening News they can not take any action because they have not had a complaint from the victim – Anglian Water.

One resident said: 'People are moaning about their water pressure dropping and environmental contamination.'

Families at Queen's Hills said they had noticed the water pressure fall considerably in the week before Christmas, but it returned to normal after that.

It is understood the illegal pipe was spotted by a runner while out jogging.

And the problem was raised by councillors at a Costessey Parish Council meeting on Tuesday night.

A police spokeswoman said: 'We did receive a report from a member of the public of water being siphoned from the Queen's Hills supply on January 6.

'Officers attended and located a pipe attached to the mains and searched the area but no persons were found. We notified Anglian Water. No complaint of any offence has been received from the water company.'

Offenders caught tapping into water supplies can face fines of �1,000 plus legal costs.

But Antony Innes, from Anglian Water, said people should not have any concerns over pollution because the water in the pipes was travelling at a huge pressure, stopping anything from getting into the supply.

He said: 'We are not currently aware of any ongoing problems with water pressures affecting customers in Queen's Hills.

'If customers are experiencing any issues with their supplies, or see anything out of the ordinary involving water mains, we urge them to report these to us by calling 08457 145 145.'

Do you have a crime story for the Evening News? Contact crime reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772439 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk