Residents told to watch their step
by Hammersmith and Fulham Press Office
29/02/2008
Residents are being told to watch their step by Hammersmith and Fulham Council following a spate of gully grid thefts which could lead to a serious accident.
Over the past few days, the council has been receiving reports of at least 27 manholes, four to five feet deep, left temporarily uncovered in the Shepherd's Bush area. In each case, the cast iron road gully grill that should cover the hole had been removed.
The rising value of scrap metal is believed to be behind the series of thefts in 15 roads in a relatively small area between Uxbridge Road in the north and Goldhawk Road in the south, framed by Coningham Road and Askew Road. Council workers are now in the process of making these danger spots safe and are checking neighbouring streets for any more missing covers.
Cabinet Member for Crime and Anti-social Behaviour, Councillor Greg Smith, said: “The people who are stealing these gully covers are motivated purely by greed – they have not spared a thought for anyone, young or old, who could so easily fall and seriously injure themselves.
“Cyclists need to be vigilant and pedestrians should take care when stepping into the road. I hope that the culprits are held to account soon for this crime.”
Anyone seen removing or lifting up the grates should contact Donna Kelly at H&F’s highways and engineering department on 020 8753 3071 or report it on-line at http://www.lbhf.gov.uk. They should also contact the Metropolitan Police on 020 8563 1212 or by filling out an on-line form at www.met.police.uk/reporting_crime.
