NEARLY 40 gulley grates worth a total of �11,500 have been stolen from streets across Fenland in the last two weeks.

The theft of gulley grates has rocketed for the new year, with thieves targeting the metal covers for their scrap value.

In the last fortnight 38 grates have been stolen from the following locations:

• 1 from Station St, Chatteris

• 1 from The Shrubbery, Chatteris

• 4 from The Elms, Chatteris

• 4 from West Street, Chatteris

• 4 from Quaker Way, Chatteris

• 2 from Gibside Avenue, Chatteris

• 7 from Eastwood, Chatteris

• 1 from Upwell Road, Christchurch

• 1 from Eastmore Lane, Doddington

• 1 from Eastalls, Doddington

• 2 from Abington Grove, Elm

• 1 from Begdale Road, Elm

• 1 from Oldfield Avenue, Elm

• 1 from Bar Drove, Elm

• 1 from Wells Bank, Elm

• 1 from Halfpenny Lane, Elm

• 2 from March Road, Friday Bridge

• 3 from The Stitch, Friday Bridge

The latest thefts mean that a total of 168 gulley grates have been stolen from Fenland’s streets this year. Each grate costs �250 to replace.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire County Council said: “We are working closely with the police investigation and we would urge anyone with information or who thinks they may have seen the thieves in action, to contact Cambridgeshire Police.”

Last month, the county council revealed it is introducing dense plastic gully grates which have no scrap value.

The new ‘Envirogrates’, provided by Pipeline & Drainage Systems Plc, can be installed in 10 minutes and are designed to take the weight of 20-tonne lorries so can be used on all road types.

A spokesman said: “We are awaiting delivery of recycled dense plastic gully grates, which cost �60 each. These are supposedly durable enough for use on our road network where covers have been stolen. As they have no scrap value, hopefully, they will remain in place.

“They enable us to provide an instant and safe temporary repair as they just drop in to the holes with no need for workmen to put out cones and then return later with the correct size of iron grate.”

Following the latest thefts, a police spokesman said: “Anyone with any information is asked to contact the CIMU at March Police Station on 0345 456 4564 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”