Heartless metal thieves hit new low

Metal thieves in the West Midlands are sinking to a new low by stealing police road signs used to inform people there has been a fatal or serious crash.

As the price of scrap metal soars, more and more of the yellow signs, worth around £200, are being swiped.

One sign has been stolen from the site where Police Community Support Officer James Price was killed in Kidderminster earlier this year.

A police sign regarding the death of motorcyclist Dean Harrison was also taken near Kidderminster.

Metal thieves have also targeted churches and memorial plaques and are now turning their attention to drain covers. In Wolverhampton, 130 covers have been stolen since April, leaving taxpayers to foot a £16,000 bill.

West Mercia Police Inspector John Morgan said: "Presumably these thefts are linked to the increase in the value of scrap metal, but how low can people stoop?

"Not only do these thefts cost the police, in terms of having to replace the signs, but they add to the distress of the victim's families."

Father-of-two James Price died on Habberley Road on January 12 and father-of-three Dean Harrison on the A450 on July 26.

Staffordshire County Council has reported hundreds of drain cover thefts over the last few months, with replacements costing £150 to buy and install. In Dudley, there have been 20 incidents since April.

Nationally, the drain thefts have cost councils £1.5 million this year. The Local Government Association said an estimated 50,000 covers had been stolen this year.

LGA Chairman Paul Bettison said: "It is disgusting that mindless thieves are stooping this low for scrap metal. With most of them striking at night, there is an increasing worry that pedestrians, cyclists and even cars may not see the approaching danger."