The London Borough of Bexley is again asking the public to remain vigilant
and report any suspicious behaviour on the borough's highways, following the
most recent spate of drain-cover thefts from streets across the borough. Nearly
100 covers have been stolen in the last two months, with a replacement value
of £25,000.
The industrial cast-iron grids are commonly used to cover drains in gutters
at the sides of roads. Leaving the drains exposed causes a serious safety hazard
for both pedestrians and vehicles.
An emergency crew has been mobilised to replace the stolen covers, but the
Council fears that unless the culprits are caught quickly, there is a real risk
of serious injury.
The Council is taking the matter very seriously and is working closely with
the police. Members of the public are asked to report anything suspicious to
the police, including the registration numbers of vehicles believed to be involved.
All calls will be taken in confidence.
After similar reported incidents and surveillance operations last year, police
made several arrests.
The Council is determined to stop these thoughtless acts and will not hesitate
to prosecute the offenders once arrests have been made.
To report further incidents call the London Borough of Bexley’s Highways
and Amenities Team on 020 8303 7777 (24-hours).
