Warning over theft
of drain covers
Published Date:
20 August 2008
By Staff Copy
SOARING scrap metal prices are seeing thieves targeting drain covers on roads across North Yorkshire.
Almost 180 have been stolen in recent months - 30 in the Ryedale area.
North Yorkshire highways says the thefts are costing the county thousands of pounds – and threatening the safety of road users.
With a replacement averaging around £300, the cost of the criminals’ activities is well over £50,000.
But there is more at stake than the financial consequences, according to County Cllr John Fort, executive member for business and environmental services.
He said the thefts were potentially deadly because if they were not reported quickly cyclists and motorcyclists could be thrown from their machines, or a car could overturn.
Some of the grates have been removed from roads where there is a 60mph limit.
Cllr Fort added: “While we are naturally concerned about the replacement cost of the drain covers, we are much more worried about the potential threat to the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and all other road-users.”
The full article contains 173 words and appears in Malton & Pickering Mercury newspaper.
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Last Updated:
19 August 2008 2:24 PM
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Source:
Malton & Pickering Mercury
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Location:
Malton
