Two drain covers stolen each day in south Shropshire

Two drain covers a day have been taken from the streets of a south Shropshire town and surrounding villages over the past week, it has emerged.

In total 18 covers have gone missing in Cleobury Mortimer, Milson and Neen Sollars since Monday last week.

Bosses at Shropshire Council say the thefts are causing a major hazard for motorists and pedestrians.

They have called on the public to report any missing covers and to pass on information such as vehicle types and registration numbers of offenders.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council's cabinet member for transport, said: "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."

Go to www.shropshire.gov.uk/environmentmaintenance.nsf to report thefts, or call 0345 678 9006, or West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers number on 0800 555111.