Members of the public are being urged to stay vigilant after a spate of thefts of manhole and gully covers across Denbighshire over the weekend.
Six out of ten calls to the out of hours service referred to gullies and manhole covers that had been stolen. The authority has also received two insurance claims in which people have driven into open covers.
The covers were stolen from outside Voel Coaches in Dyserth, Ffordd Parc Bodnant, Prestatyn, Cefn Meiriadog, the road adjacent to Marble Church in Bodelwyddan, Derwen Village, Bontuchel Village, and the ‘H’ Bridge Rhyl. The insurance claims relate to Peniel near Denbigh and up on the A543 near the Sportsmans Arms.
Stuart Davies, Conwy and Denbighshire’s head of highways and infrastructure condemned the thefts and said: “Clearly this practice is adding significant dangers to road users.
“Even just to attend and make safe each of costs Denbighshire a minimum of £120 let alone the cost of replacement in addition to the claims aspect, but it is the potential danger that is the real concern.”
“Over 20 were stolen in one go near Llandegla about a month ago. Our assessment is that we have had at least fifty disappear since Christmas.
“The reports are county wide so no one area is being affected and we would ask the public to be more vigilant, report missing covers quickly via Customer Services and contact the police if they see anything suspicious.”
Denbighshire’s customer services can be contacted:
- online www.denbighshire.gov.uk/customerservice
- email [email protected]
- phone 01824 706101
- or visit any cash office or council reception
The out of hours contact number is 01745 351205
