Amnesty for traffic cone thieves

Cones have been disappearing over the summer

An amnesty on stolen traffic cones has been declared by police in Suffolk.

Drunken pranksters and other cone thieves are being given a chance to return their trophies - which cost £6 each - with no questions asked.

The force hopes the amnesty, beginning on Monday and continuing for two weeks, will save them thousands of pounds in replacement cones.

David Kane, from Suffolk Police, said they had spent £2,500 replacing cones since last November.

"I have been looking at how we can be more cost effective and rather than spend that much on cones, I would much rather give that to front-line policing," he said.

"There is an element of horseplay, but there are also people who may have a parking problem in their road, see these cones and think 'that would come in handy to stop people parking outside my house'."

Suffolk Police use cones for major events such as a carnival or an airshow.

They are also used to keep traffic moving when there has been an accident.

Police stations in Lowestoft, Beccles, Leiston, Woodbridge and Felixstowe will now accept any cones or signs people want to return.