Appeal after drain cover thefts

Increasing scrap metal prices could have triggered the thefts

Roads in Hampshire are being left hazardous by a spate of thefts of drain covers, say council chiefs.

Over the last three months, 32 gully gratings have been stolen from roads and car parks in Rushmoor, 12 from Hart and 15 from the Test Valley area.

The county council said 16 were taken from various locations in the Basingstoke area in the last month.

It fears people could be injured while walking, cycling or driving as drain holes are left uncovered after a theft.

It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured as a result of gully thieves' selfishness Councillor Mel Kendal

The local authority is now urging residents to report missing drain covers - which cost £200 to replace - or any suspicious activity to the police.

Councillor Mel Kendal , Hampshire County Council's executive member for environment, said: "It is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured as a result of gully thieves' selfishness.

"Stealing gully gratings is mindless, highly dangerous and places greater financial burden on the council tax payer.

"There is no reason for anyone to take a gully grating other than stupid high jinks or theft.

"Whilst it might appear to be a minor problem the gratings must be replaced as quickly as possible and doing this diverts our people from doing core, routine jobs and takes money from the public purse leaving less for essential services."

A surge in such incidents across the country has been blamed on the rising price of scrap metal.