A SPATE of metal grid thefts are being investigated in Edenfield.

Nine grids were stolen in a week – four from the Rochdale Road area and five from Burnley and Bury Roads.

Daniel Herbert, Rossendale’s highways manager, urged people to report missing grids. He said: “We’re proactive in working with the police to prevent thefts of grids as a successful prosecution following a spate of thefts last year in Hyndburn shows.”

Eden Ward candidate Darryl Smith said he feared the thefts would cost huge amounts to replace and were a danger to pedestrians and motorists. He said: “We have had at least nine gulley covers stolen from roads in Eden Ward in the past week.

“The people doing this have no regard for others. While they may be making a fast buck they are endangering lives, cyclists or pedestrians could fall into one of the open gullies and break a bone or worse.”

A police spokesman confirmed the thefts had been reported and they were investigating.