Walsall grit thefts endangering lives
Dec 22 2009 by Matt Lloyd, Birmingham Mail
THIEVES stealing salt from communal grit bins in the Midlands have been slammed by a councillor who called them “the lowest of the low”.
Walsall councillor Tom Ansell, member for Aldridge Central and South, said the grit-thieves were putting lives at risk as the cold snap freezes roads and pavements and vowed to prosecute anybody caught in the act.
He said locals had been spotted pulling up to yellow salt bins, placed in danger hot-spots, and filling bags with the grit, presumably for their own streets or driveways.
But he said the bins were placed at designated spots, such as steep hills and estates, for the safety of motorists and pedestrians.
Coun Ansell told the Mail: “Last week people were seen taking salt out of the bins. They were putting into bags and taking it.
“Those bins are there for the safety of the people and of motorists, how low can these people get when they are jeopardising people’s lives?”
Coun Ansell said the bins were used by council workers and residents as needed at freezing hot-spots and said lives could be endangered if the grit bins were emptied by the callous thieves.
“Lots of the salt is spread on the pavements where people, some disabled, have to walk. If we see the people doing this we will prosecute them because they are putting people’s lives in danger. If anyone sees this all we need is the registration number of the car.”
Council leader Mike Bird said the authority had been faced with increased requests to fill up the salt bins during the cold weather.
He said: “It seems people are taking this and using it on their driveway.
“This salt is not for personal use, it’s for the highway networks and emergencies. At the end of the day it is paid for through council tax but it’s not there for the world and his dog.
“People pay for a lot of things from their council tax but they can’t just take it willy-nilly.
“Emptying them is like coming to use a first aid kit and finding no plasters inside. The message is this, if you take this grit and you are caught we will do what we can to prosecute. Times are tight at the moment, we have to order tons of this stuff. For the sake of a few pennies people are costing the council. If anyone sees this happening they should report it.”
Anyone with information on the thefts can contact West Midlands Police on 0121 626 5800 or report the incident to Marion Parry, operations manager at Walsall Council.
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