Rewards offered to stop Tipton metal thieves

Rewards of up to £1,000 are being offered for information leading to the conviction of metal thieves stealing drain covers in the Black Country.

In the past fortnight almost 40 covers have been stolen from Tipton, leaving Sandwell Council facing a £16,000 bill to repair them.

The town has been a magnet for drain thieves in recent months with the council shelling out tens of thousands of pounds to replace them.

Now the borough's safety chief has said the authority will launch rewards for those who give information leading to the conviction of metal thieves.

Councillor Derek Rowley, cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: "Bearing in mind last weekend we had 17 stolen and the weekend before 20, £1,000 to stop these thieves would be a significant saving.

"I will speak to officers early next week and to the council leader so that we can launch it in a proper manner and get the message out as soon as possible."