Grit pirates plundering bins

Grit bins are being plundered in the Midlands as the scramble for dwindling supplies escalates, it was revealed today.

Homeowners have been stealing supplies from bins to ensure their own drives and paths are safe.

The Express and Star revealed on Saturday how stocks of grit were running dangerously low. The situation looks set to intensify this week with a storm of heavy snow, ice and 37mph winds on the way to the West Midlands. A number of Walsall's 175 grit bins have been targeted.

Councillor Ian Shires, Walsall's Lib Dem leader, said: "These thieves are acting like pirates and plundering these grit bins for their own use.

"They have been using grit for their own personal use such as putting it down on their own drives and causing a shortage of it across the borough.

"These people are acting very selfishly and are also putting people's lives in danger as we need grit for the icy roads.

"It is a real problem because the amount of grit bins has been reduced after a new system was introduced by the council last year."

Councils in the West Midlands are desperately awaiting deliveries of grit to deal with the cold snap again this week as temperatures hover around -1C (30F).

Staffordshire County Council has around 2,000 tons of grit left which is just enough to last a day and a half but is hoping to receive more supplies.

Dudley's immediate gritting crisis is over for the time being after a fresh delivery was received by the council.

It now has just over 200 tons of grit salt at its disposal after the new supply came through on Saturday.

Walsall Council said that it was expecting a load to be delivered today.

But residents are calling for a review of the gritting system following complaints not enough roads and footpaths are being treated.

Walsall Council spokesman Richard Bolton said officers were hoping to replenish its 170 bins today.