TAXPAYERS are footing a £10,000 bill after a spate of drain cover thefts across Southampton.

About 50 covers have so far been taken at a cost of some £200 each.

Council officers say that they are stolen and sold because of the high cost of scrap metal. Most are taken from the city’s industrial estates but thieves are even taking them in broad daylight from the sides of the road.

They are putting the public at risk because huge deep holes are left in the street, meaning that members of the public, including children and the elderly, could seriously injure or kill themselves whether they are walking, cycling or driving.

Along with the cost to the public purse, residents are also being hit in the pocket with covers being stolen from private property.

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Dave Bally, 48, of Daintree Close, Southampton had his drain cover stolen and had to pay for a replacement.

Mr Bally, an IT worker, spotted a white van stop before hearing scraping metal noises in daylight before the van revved off.

He said: “You don’t expect people to start pinching drains. That is a new one. I have lived here for 14 years and have seen nothing like it.

“People have to negotiate around these massive holes and children could fall down them. It is dangerous.

“Now the neighbourhood will have to pay for this mindless crime because it is on private property. It is just not fair.”

Council chiefs and the police have joined forces to clamp down on those responsible.

John Harvey, the council’s public realm manager, said: “Southampton City Council deplores these mindless thefts.

“These people are placing the travelling public at risk from serious injury or worse.

“We would encourage anyone who sees anything suspicious to advise the police.”

Pedestrians, cyclists and motorists are being urged to phone the police if they see these covers being stolen, or have any information which could help the police.

Insp Phil Bates, of Hampshire Constabulary, said: “Anyone caught doing this can expect to be arrested.

“They are likely to end up being charged with theft and could find themselves before the courts and could end up with a heavy fine or imprisonment.”