A SPATE of manhole cover thefts has hit Bidford and the surrounding areas over the past few weeks.

Warwickshire Police confirmed that about 70 metal covers had gone missing from Bidford, Salford, Broom, Dunnington and Welford, with 45 being taken on Monday alone.

This included 12 from Grafton Lane in Bidford and six from School Road in Salford Priors.

Peter Groom, PCSO for the South Warwickshire area, said: “Metal thefts are quite rife at the moment and the danger is that pedestrians or cyclists could injure themselves when these covers have gone.

“We are taking this just as seriously as any other theft, and would urge the public to watch out for whoever is doing this.”

While the manhole covers will fetch about £6 each at a scrap metal merchants they cost Warwickshire County Council, and thus local taxpayers, £140 to replace.

County councillor Peter Barnes said: “This is going to cost ratepayers a fortune so we would like the public to help us keep an eye on them.”