Fury as metal thieves target drain covers

Metal thieves stole drain covers and damaged cars during an early-morning ambush on nine streets in the Black Country.

The thieves struck in Moxley, stealing a total of 13 drain covers from the roads.

Their actions were today condemned as dangerous, with residents saying pensioners and children could have easily fallen into the deep holes.

The nine streets targeted were Castle View Road, Castle View Place, Bull Lane, Charnwood Close, Curtain Drive, Thorneycroft Road, Thorneycroft Place, Queen Street and Hannah Road.

Manhole covers were taken from each of the streets, some residents' cars were scratched and one vehicle had its bumper stolen during the raids in the early hours of Saturday, it has been confirmed.

Gwen Sedgwick has lived in Queen Street for 55 years and said this had never happened before. Her street had three drain covers stolen.

The 81-year-old, who used to be a secretary at Rough Hay Primary School, said: "I could not believe it when I realised what had happened on Saturday morning. My first though was

'I hope to God a little child does not fall into one of the holes'.

"My daughter Gillian, who has learning difficulties, usually goes to Asda on a Saturday by herself but she asked me to meet her this time as she was scared of falling into the drains."

Darlaston South councillor Chris Bott said she was outraged by the mass theft.

"It is unbelievably dangerous," she said. "Someone could have been killed. They pinched all the manhole covers and damaged cars.

"There are a lot of pensioners in this area and any of them could have fallen into these large gaping holes. Something needs to be done to stop this wave of metal thefts. I would like to see the scrap yards take on more responsibility."

Queen Street and Hannah Road each lost three manhole covers and the other roads each had one stolen.

West Midlands Police spokeswoman Helen Thompson confirmed an investigation was under way.

Walsall Council has secured the holes with thick plastic boards and warning cones. They also struck in Willenhall, with at least three taken from York Avenue, Country Bridge.