Thieves put lives at risk
Thieves have again struck in Warwickshire stealing the metal drain covers from the gullies of roads, potentially putting lives at risk.
In the last week more than 50 metal covers have been stolen from around the Rugby area.
Cllr Martin Heatley, Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for highways, said: “We presume these thefts are being carried out by people looking to sell the metal on as scrap.
“However, as well as the cost to Council Tax payers in replacing the gullies, there is also the risk to motorists, particularly those travelling on two wheels. It would be disastrous if anyone travelling at any speed hit the hole left following one of these thefts.”
In 2008 thieves stolen 200 roadside gullies in the Rugby, Nuneaton and North Warwickshire.
Andrew Savage, the county council’s County Highways Operation Manger, said: "Motorists should take extra care if they see any gulley tops missing on a route as there are likely to be others missing in the area.
"Motorists are encouraged to report any strange behaviour where people might be posing as Highway Repair Teams. Warwickshire Highway Crews are marked up ‘Warwickshire County Council’ and with ‘Carillion’ logos.
“Unless the gangs are responding to road accidents it is very unlikely that the highway crews will be working outside normal 7.30-18.00 hours. The thefts appear to be undertaken at night so please report any suspicious actions to the Police on 01926 415000 or to County Highways on 01926 412515.”
The latest theft of gullies is expected to cost Warwickshire County Council in the region of £10,000, and this comes in the wake of 18 months of sign and gulley grating thefts costing County Highways about £40,000 in making safe and replacing stolen goods.
The County Highways team is now working with Warwickshire County Council’s Trading Standards officers who will be writing to and making random inspections of scrap dealers to draw attention that they should not deal in stolen highway equipment and will prosecute those that handle such goods.