Covers stolen from drains in Burntwood

Metal thieves stole eight drain covers from roads in Burntwood in one week, highways bosses said today. Five covers were taken from Corbett Road, with others stolen from areas in Chase Terrace.

Church Street, Church Street car park and Attwood Road, were also targeted.

The theft of drain covers has been an increasing problem in streets around Staffordshire and the Black Country, with taxpayers left to foot the bill.

Authorities can be forced to spend between £150 and £500 on replacing the iron plates.

Mike Maryon, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Staffordshire County Council, said: "Met-al theft is a major problem across the UK and we need national action, such as greater checks on scrap metal dealers.

"Eight gully covers were stolen in the Chase Terrace area last week."

Councillor Maryon said anti-theft covers and frames were being used and that talks were going forward about the possibility of using materials that have no value to metal thieves.