£10,000 of metal pinched from streets

Dec 7 2011 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

PEOPLE are being asked to report thieves who have stolen thousands of pounds worth of metal from streets.

In recent weeks, a number of road gully and manhole covers and lengths of cable have disappeared, particularly at Ravenscraig and the cycle path linking that area with Motherwell and Bellshill.

North Lanarkshire Council estimate the replacement cost to be around £10,000.

“We are extremely concerned about these thefts,” stated Councillor James Coyle, convener of planning and transportation. “As well as the cost of replacing the stolen items, there is a very real threat to residents’ safety.

“As a result of the theft of cables, lights have gone out leaving streets in darkness and manholes and gullies are uncovered.

“Sadly, the theft of metal for scrap seems to be a national problem which is now affecting North Lanarkshire.

“I would ask residents to tell the council if they see any missing manhole or gully covers to allow us to fix the problem as quickly as possible.

“And I would appeal to anyone with information about these thefts to report them to Strathclyde Police.”

Please contact the council’s customer contact centre, Northline, on 01698 40311 if you have any information.