CYCLISTS, motorists and pedestrians near Selby are being put at risk by thieves who have stolen more than a dozen drainage grates around the region.

In the last week alone, 13 drainage grates have been reported stolen to North Yorkshire Police from the Sherburn in Elmet area, mainly along the A162 Sherburn Bypass.

PC Ben Pepper, from Selby police, said the grates were stolen in three incidents, with eight reported missing on July 29, five more reported missing between Saturday, July 30 and Tuesday, August 2.

PC Pepper said: “Obviously, the council have had to cordon them off, and cyclists have had to move out into the road while they are replaced.

“The grates cost about £45 each, but each one will actually end up costing the council about £250, with labour and fitting.”

The thefts were discovered by a cyclist who reported the incident to the police, who then contacted the Highways Agency.

Inspector Richard Abbott, of Selby Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, said the thefts increased the chances of a road traffic accident, and it was lucky nobody had been hurt.

Insp Abbott said: “Not only is stealing drainage covers illegal it also causes a hazard to motorists and other road users. Fortunately on this particular occasion nobody was hurt but there is potential for a collision if drain covers are removed.”

A rise in crime figures in the Selby area this year has been blamed in part on increased value of scrap metal, with an increase in recorded thefts of power lines and railway cables in the region.

In March, thieves broke into a yard in Selby and stole a steel bridge worth £25,000, which had been developed for a new major shopping centre in Leeds, and last month, dozens of homes in Hull Road and Water Lane in Hemingbrough were left without power when thieves stole overhead cables from electricity poles.

Anyone who can help the police with their inquiries should phone Selby police on 0845 6060247, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.