nick
19-07-2004, 22:15
Paving slabs are being stolen from the streets of south Wales by gangs posing as council workers.
Rare Victorian pennant stone slabs laid in Penarth and Barry have been removed by men dressed in yellow jackets in a series of incidents.
Around 80 of the slabs - which can no longer be sourced - have disappeared and police believe that they are being stolen to order.
Vale of Glamorgan council say it is costing a "great deal of money".
The pennant slabs are real stone rather than composite concrete ones and are no longer manufactured in Britain making them extremely difficult and expensive to replace.
The first ones would have been laid when the houses in Penarth were being built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
In a series of incidents in the first six months of this year, thieves, believed to be from outside the area, have stolen numerous slabs from streets, mostly in the conservation areas of Barry and Penarth.
The latest thefts have occurred at Cliff Parade, Penarth, and Bendricks Road in Barry, and it is believed that up to 80 slabs have been stolen in incidents in these areas.
The thieves, who are believed to be from outside the area pose as council workers or contractors in bright yellow jackets and usually using a white transit-type van with false number plates.
They operate as if they are working for the council or with approval to allay suspicion.
Council officials have issued a desperate plea to the public to help prevent further thefts.
Councillor Geoff Cox said: "This continues to be a very serious problem.
"The thieves are taking up large areas of the adopted footway and creating a dangerous situation for the public."
He said that the cost of replacing the slabs was "a great deal of money".
The local authority believes that the slabs are being stolen to order and are destined for work at private homes.
"People should be aware that they may be paying for stolen property and, indeed, should question the source of all distinctive materials," added Mr Cox.
The council is urging the public to call the police on 02920 222 111 or a special council hotline on 02920 673 000 if they see anything suspicious such as workmen with no council or contractor identification.
Rare Victorian pennant stone slabs laid in Penarth and Barry have been removed by men dressed in yellow jackets in a series of incidents.
Around 80 of the slabs - which can no longer be sourced - have disappeared and police believe that they are being stolen to order.
Vale of Glamorgan council say it is costing a "great deal of money".
The pennant slabs are real stone rather than composite concrete ones and are no longer manufactured in Britain making them extremely difficult and expensive to replace.
The first ones would have been laid when the houses in Penarth were being built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
In a series of incidents in the first six months of this year, thieves, believed to be from outside the area, have stolen numerous slabs from streets, mostly in the conservation areas of Barry and Penarth.
The latest thefts have occurred at Cliff Parade, Penarth, and Bendricks Road in Barry, and it is believed that up to 80 slabs have been stolen in incidents in these areas.
The thieves, who are believed to be from outside the area pose as council workers or contractors in bright yellow jackets and usually using a white transit-type van with false number plates.
They operate as if they are working for the council or with approval to allay suspicion.
Council officials have issued a desperate plea to the public to help prevent further thefts.
Councillor Geoff Cox said: "This continues to be a very serious problem.
"The thieves are taking up large areas of the adopted footway and creating a dangerous situation for the public."
He said that the cost of replacing the slabs was "a great deal of money".
The local authority believes that the slabs are being stolen to order and are destined for work at private homes.
"People should be aware that they may be paying for stolen property and, indeed, should question the source of all distinctive materials," added Mr Cox.
The council is urging the public to call the police on 02920 222 111 or a special council hotline on 02920 673 000 if they see anything suspicious such as workmen with no council or contractor identification.