Road users are being put at risk by thieves stealing drain and gully covers from roads and causing potential deathtraps.

In Wandsworth, six have been stolen in the past month - and earlier this year another seven went missing from the borough’s roads.

Since Wandsworth first raised the issue as a matter of concern in 2010, about 80 covers have been stolen across the borough, leaving taxpayers with a £30,000 bill for replacements.

Their removal is leaving gaping holes in the road surface which create potential hazards for cyclists, bikers and pedestrians - and leave motorists facing hefty repair bills if they drive over one.

To deter the thieves from stealing the replacements, Wandsworth Council is now using a new hinged design which means the grid cannot be lifted out of the frame and removed.

The authority's transport spokesman Councillor Russell King said: "The increase in scrap metal prices over the past couple of years has led to a steady rise in this type of theft.

"All road users, but particularly cyclists and motorcyclists need to pay very careful attention to the road surface in front of them, especially if they are travelling when it’s dark.

"These thefts tend to happen at night, so even if you are familiar with the route you are taking please bear in mind that the thieves may have left a hole in the road."

Susie Morrow, campaigns coordinator for the Wandsworth Cycling Campaign said: "Thefts of drain covers in the borough are potential death traps for all road users, including cyclists and any missing covers need to be reported urgently to fixmystreet.com.

"There are examples where cyclists need to be close to the kerb, for example when filtering at traffic lights, but drivers need to be aware that the National Standards for Cycle Training and the Highway Code advise cyclists to keep well out from the kerb to avoid hazards like this."