Havering Council is urging residents to be on the look out for thieves stealing metal drainage grates - causing a risk to life and limb for motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians and costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds.
Holes up to two feet by two feet in size could cause a motorcyclist to be thrown from their bike and pedestrians are also at risk when storm gullies on kerbsides are stolen.
In the past week thieves have stolen around 30 grates. The cost to the local taxpayer is estimated to be £150 each for each new gate plus fitting costs. New hinge-style grates which are more difficult to remove are being fitted into the holes.
Thieves are stealing the grates at night and lifting them into vehicles to be driven away – most likely to be sold for scrap metal which has increased in value.
Removing the grates will often cause some noise and residents may be disturbed, so the Council is urging anyone who sees any suspicious activity to call police and note down any vehicle registration number. Any legitimate work will be carried out by Council staff using vehicles clearly marked with the local authority's logo.
Cllr Barry Tebbutt, Cabinet Member for Streetcare, said: "This is a very serious matter. Not only is there a cost issue to the local taxpayer, but it won't be long before someone is seriously hurt or killed.
"Stealing these grates from the highway is extremely dangerous. It beggars belief that some people are risking people's lives for a few hundred pounds. We are urging residents to keep their eyes peeled and inform police if they see anything suspicious."
Council workers cover the holes with a pavement slab and traffic cone immediately upon receiving a report and replace the grates the same or following day.
Holes up to two feet by two feet in size could cause a motorcyclist to be thrown from their bike and pedestrians are also at risk when storm gullies on kerbsides are stolen.
In the past week thieves have stolen around 30 grates. The cost to the local taxpayer is estimated to be £150 each for each new gate plus fitting costs. New hinge-style grates which are more difficult to remove are being fitted into the holes.
Thieves are stealing the grates at night and lifting them into vehicles to be driven away – most likely to be sold for scrap metal which has increased in value.
Removing the grates will often cause some noise and residents may be disturbed, so the Council is urging anyone who sees any suspicious activity to call police and note down any vehicle registration number. Any legitimate work will be carried out by Council staff using vehicles clearly marked with the local authority's logo.
Cllr Barry Tebbutt, Cabinet Member for Streetcare, said: "This is a very serious matter. Not only is there a cost issue to the local taxpayer, but it won't be long before someone is seriously hurt or killed.
"Stealing these grates from the highway is extremely dangerous. It beggars belief that some people are risking people's lives for a few hundred pounds. We are urging residents to keep their eyes peeled and inform police if they see anything suspicious."
Council workers cover the holes with a pavement slab and traffic cone immediately upon receiving a report and replace the grates the same or following day.
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