[Busman747]

Originally Posted by wallop79

There are two drain covers (the grid type) missing from where I live, someone must have reported them as two cones have been placed over the holes, problem is idiots move the cones, my 21 month old is of the size to fall down said hole, and its now into the 2nd week that they have been missing, just how long does it take for HBC to replace the darn things, (i must try and remember to ring them tomorrow and give them a gentle reminder)

Apologies to both Ken and Jaysay if I step on any political feet but I am incensed over these stolen drain covers. Ken, you quickly pass the buck onto LCC, I don't give a damn which political party/county/borough/quango is responsible, whoever it is, is playing Russian roulette with peoples lives! The photo at the start of the thread shows a large hole in the pavement that is mere feet from a bus stop who's users have an average age of 80!! I know this because I pick up there 15 times a day and at least 2 of my customers are almost blind, 5 are currently having treatment for cancer, I have 2 customers that have received new hips in the last month and 1 with a new knee. That's not counting several customers that are in their nineties.

Enough about Bridge St. I was interested to read Wallops post above. He has 2 drain covers missing near where he lives, would that be Surrey St. by any chance? Alice St. which is a continuation of Surrey St also has 2 covers missing - and with no cones! These are directly outside Peel Park Junior School. Today, I had to drop off a very elderly lady (90+) in that area and had to escort her across the road because she was unaware that there was a gaping hole next to the kerb and would not have seen it.

We all know the type of people that are doing this (almost wish Vanessa Redgrave would fall down one!) and we all know that the police are reluctant to take any action against them (Don't want to be seen as racist) BUT:

Am I right in thinking that scrap metal merchants require a license to operate? A license is certainly required to move scrap metal in vehicles, rather than look the other way when the proverbial white van cruises the streets at night, concentrate on the criminals that pay money for items such as drain covers (and lead from roofs) Do regular checks on the local scrap merchants and CLOSE THEM DOWN if they are found to be accepting stolen goods. Put the onus on THEM not to accept illegal metals.

THAT is the only way of stopping this.