Appeal for information about stolen drain covers

Shropshire Council is appealing for people’s help following a spate of drain cover thefts in south Shropshire.

Over the last week (7 March 2011 onwards), 18 drain covers have been reported missing in Cleobury Mortimer, Milson and Neen Sollars.  This presents a real hazard to motorists and pedestrians, not to mention the cost to the public in replacing them.

The council is appealing to members of the public to report any missing covers and to notify them or the police if they can provide any information, such as the vehicle type and registration number, time and date.

The council will always report any missing grids to the police, and will prosecute any offenders where there is evidence to support this action.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport and IT, said:

“We encourage members of the public to let us know if they spot any missing covers or can provide any information on the perpetrators.

“We ask people not to steal these, as their absence poses a serious danger to road users.  Also, each one costs around £250 to replace and this comes out of our already stretched highways budget.”

Madge Shineton, a Shropshire Councillor for Cleobury Mortimer, said:

“This really is a most selfish and irresponsible theft.  I urge anyone who may have any information, or if they’ve seen a vehicle in the area, to notify the police.  These covers are heavy; there must have been someone with strength to have achieved the removal.”

Although the council’s environmental maintenance team carry out regular inspections of the county’s roads, the team relies on members of the public to let them know of any problems with missing signs, drain covers or problems with the county’s roads.

People can report any problems via the council’s online form at www.shropshire.gov.uk/environmentmaintenance.nsf or, alternatively people can call the teams on 0345 678 9006.