Thieves putting lives at risk

More than 100 drain and manhole covers have been stolen from Staffordshire’s streets in an epidemic of metal thefts over the past two months.

Reckless thieves are putting people’s lives at risk, as well as hitting local ratepayers in the pocket, county highways bosses warned today.

The iron covers will cost the taxpayer tens of thousands of pounds to replace.

But even more importantly, highways chiefs say the gaping holes left behind by the “greedy” criminals could easily kill someone, with cyclists and motorcyclists being particularly at risk.

Now, council officials and the police are urging the public to watch out for anyone lifting manhole covers and grids without an official van.

A highways spokesman said: “Staffordshire highways crews are out and about throughout the week in their very clearly identifiable orange and green branded vehicles. But they won’t be doing drainage maintenance at the weekends – so if you see a crew in a van lifting a lid at the evenings and weekends, then they could be crooks.”

Councillor Carol Dean is Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for road safety. She described the thefts, which come at a time of soaring prices for scrap, as “pure greed and reckless selfishness”.

“This isn’t just theft of public money but potential manslaughter,” she said. “Plus, it’s diverting much needed time and resources. 

“As soon as we find out about one of these thefts the team have to rush out to cover the hole, and then later go back and put in a new grate. They have enough do as it is without this. It’s a terrible waste of time and public money, and terribly disheartening for the team,” she said. 

Les Dyble, of Staffordshire Police’s traffic management unit, said everyone had a duty to be vigilant and report suspicious activity. He said: “This is, quite literally, a deadly serious matter. If you see anyone working on the highway and you are suspicious, give us a ring straight away. If they are legitimate Staffordshire Highways crews they will be only too pleased that someone is looking out for them and the people of Staffordshire.” Anyone with information should call Staffordshire Police on 08453 302010 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

The manhole cover thefts follow a spate of lead thefts from shop roofs in Stafford town centre last month, which left a number of local businesses with four-figure repair bills.