Great Harwood: Community outrage as metal grates stolen

Joanne Boardman is just one of many Great Harwood locals who have been posting pictures of the missing metal grates to Facebook.

After some were taken from the alley behind her house, Joanne said she “nearly fell down one” while putting the bins out and posted pictures to Facebook.

Joanne Boardman "nearly fell down a hole" outside her Great Harwood home after metal grates were taken

She said: “There’s some thieving scruffy a******** out there , just gone to put my bin out and nearly fell down a hole.

“Two are gone back off Duke Street - someone must know who’s weighing all these in.”

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Joanne says she captured CCTV footage of the two men loading the metal grates into a vehicle.

Joanne Boardman captured CCTV footage of two men loading the metal grates into their car

She said: “It’s dangerous. People shouldn’t be going around taking things like that, especially when it’s going dark.

“On my CCTV, I saw two lads coming down the back alley, lift two grids up and make off with them in a car.

“I know a few have been replaced around the town – but those outside my home haven’t yet.”

Joanne said this isn’t an isolated incident with several other missing grates reported around the town.

Another said: “Just noticed one missing at back of James St/Green St. Very dangerous as lady is elderly living beside it. What possesses people to do this?”

One person said: “People be careful there is a very large manhole cover missing at the bottom of Park Avenue, big enough for someone to fall down.”

A third person said: “Back of Prospect Street as well. Also, someone said earlier that the back of  St John's Street has been done too. It's being done all over town.”

Others commented on just how “dangerous” the missing grates can be.

One person said: “Scrap must be a good price now. These people don’t give a damn about anyone.”

“Hope the scruff bags get caught soon,” said another.

A third commenter said: “Far too many have gone missing.”

A spokesperson for Hyndburn Neighbourhood Police said: “The neighbourhood team at Hyndburn is aware of the recent increase in thefts and we are currently in the early stages of the investigation.

“We do have a number of investigations that have been reported from members of the community.

“We will be increasing visibility in the area and we will inform you of any developments.”