Metal thieves have started stealing post boxes to sell on for scrap it emerged today.

A cast iron post box, worth around £100, has been stolen from Trimpley Lane, Shatterford, near Kidderminster.

The post holding the post box had been sawn off and police think it was taken for scrap. It comes after it emerged metal thieves were also targeting roadworks in the region stealing the copper cable between temporary traffic lights.

The post box was taken between midday on Tuesday and midday on Wednesday West Mercia Police said today.

Anyone who thinks they may have had a letter in the box is asked to contact Royal Mail.

Yesterday, the Express & Star revealed metal thieves struck three times at temporary traffic lights in Willenhall, and Severn Trent Water has had to take the lights away.

They were operating in Crab Lane to ensure the safety of workers who were replacing pipes.

The lights were in place for two weeks, during which time the copper cable linking them was stolen three times. Contractors created a one-way system so the lights are no longer needed.