Steel fences installed to protect the contents of an historic Black Country pub before it is demolished have been snatched by metal thieves.

The Boat Inn in Havacre Lane, Coseley, has become the latest target for thieves cashing on soaring international metal prices.

The 180-year-old pub’s car park had been blocked off by steel fence panels in a bid to stop fly-tippers dumping rubbish in the grounds or breaking into the site and making off with any valuables inside before it is razed to the ground.

But historians who have been fighting to save the pub from demolition said the fences had now been taken in the latest saga to hit the landmark pub.

Coseley Civic Trust chairman John Wilkes said: “The fences were put up blocking off the car park of the pub to try and stop all the fly-tipping and to stop people from taking things from inside the building but it has been stolen.

“The demolition people put it up to try and aid what they are doing and this happens.

“It just goes to show that people will take anything these days.”