Nearly 200 drain covers stolen in Doncaster in three days

Thirty drain covers have been stolen in the past week in the city

Thieves have stolen 160 metal storm drain covers in a three-day spree.

The grates, also known as gully covers, disappeared from locations around Doncaster between 14 and 17 January.

Holes in the road as a result of the missing grids pose a risk of "serious harm" to drivers, pedestrians, children and cyclists.

Police urged anyone who spots a missing drain cover to report it, while the local council warned replacing them could cost thousands of pounds.

The thefts centred around the east of Doncaster, with Thorne, Barnby Dun, Edenthorpe and Moorends targeted.

More Yorkshire stories

South Yorkshire Police said they believed many of the stolen covers were likely to be disposed of with scrap metal dealers and urged them to be aware.

Insp Alison Carr said reports of the thefts were on the rise and it was a "serious issue that can cause real problems within local communities".

"We are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry," she said. "Investigations are very much ongoing to locate those carrying out these thefts."