Taxpayers in Wolverhampton have forked out more than £30,000 to replace stolen drain covers over the past two years, the latest figures show.

To counter the thefts, City chiefs are now installing new covers which are harder to steal.

Covers are taken by gangs who sell them to scrapyards across the region where they are paid in cash.

Figures show in Wolverhampton in 2008/2009 160 covers were stolen at a total cost of £21, 473 while so far in the current financial year 76 covers have been stolen costing £11,111.

Staffordshire County Council has also been the victim of the metal thieves.

More than 100 drain covers were stolen across the county in 2008, including 50 in Tamworth alone.

Wolverhampton City Council spokesman Gurdip Thandi said: “We have seen a major drop in the number of roadside gully drain cover tops being stolen in the past 12 months. We believe that one of the main reasons for this is the value of scrap metal has dropped significantly.

“Another reason is we have started using different drain covers than previous years. When we replace stolen or damaged covers, the lids are connected to the frame on hinges, making it far more difficult for them to be stolen.“And the adverse weather during the winter would also have had an effect, with lids being frozen to the frame.”

The covers are being replaced with their harder to steal alternatives as and when they are being taken.

Figures released last month show in Walsall thieves have stolen 566 drain and manhole covers in Walsall in just three years.

The thefts cost Walsall Council £283,000 in repairs and replacements – and it is feared lives are being put at risk.