Metal thieves' haul is worthless (From Your Local Guardian)

Metal thieves' haul is worthless

Metal thieves who have stolen the central plate of one of Croydon's boundary signs will be disappointed to learn it is worthless.

The signs were specifically ordered to be made from a hard-wearing material, but they have no scrap value.

The Long Lane sign on the border between Croydon and Bromley will cost the council a substantial amount to replace, but the thieves will make no profit from their crime.

Councillor Phil Thomas, cabinet member for highways and the environment, said: "These thefts are really frustrating.

"Even when people do steal items that can be sold on as scrap, the cost to local taxpayers of replacing them is always considerably more than the money the thieves might make.

"In this case at least this gives us the opportunity to tell there is no point whatsoever in them trying to make even a few pennies from stealing these types of sign."