Following a spate of drain cover thefts, the county council is asking residents to report any suspicious activity to the Police.
More than 50 drain covers have been stolen from roads in Derbyshire in the last month, mainly in Breaston and Borrowash, but also other areas of South Derbyshire. Previously, there was a particular spate of thefts in Long Eaton and some in a particular street in Ilkeston back in July 2023.
Each missing drain cover is dangerous for all road users, especially those on bikes or motorbikes. And each replacement costs in the region of £300.
Derbyshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways, Assets and Transport, Councillor Charlotte Cupit, said: “We are facing a real issue with people stealing drain covers. We are very worried that a serious accident could be caused by these illegal actions.
“We also have to replace each one that is taken, and that costs time and takes our roadworkers off other jobs to go out and replace them.
“I’m appealing to everyone in Derbyshire to report any suspicious activity to the Police. We report each one taken to the Police so please let them know if you have any information on these thefts.”
Anyone with any information or footage is being asked to contact Police on any of the following contact points:
- Facebook– send a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary
- X (Twitter)– direct message the contact centre on @DerPolContact
- Website– complete the online contact form at derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
- Phone – call 101
You can also anonymously contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or by visiting www.crimestoppers-uk.org