Five manhole covers were stolen from the same road

by Tim Collins

This road is going down the drain after brazen metal thieves stole FIVE manhole covers on one night.

They were removed from a busy Ashford road overnight into Thursday.

The covers were all taken from the same short stretch of Chart Road, between the roundabout near Matalan and Great Chart village.

The missing covers have now been replaced with bollards as a safety measure by Kent County Council.

There has been a deluge of metal thefts across the area. Kent Police has pledged to clamp down on offenders, with a number of arrests made towards the end of last year.

Insp Angie Hobbs said: "Metal theft is a growing problem nationally because of the current high commodity prices.

"However we take the theft of metal very seriously and will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.

"Metal thieves are not choosy about what they steal and target anything from the lead flashings on roofs to electricity cables and even copper piping from gas meters."

Have you been the victim of a metal theft? Phone the newsroom on 01233 623232 or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup.co.uk.