Grate thefts in Cambridge endangering public

23 July 2013

The theft of catchpit grates from the area around the Victoria High Level Bridge in Cambridge is endangering public safety and wasting ratepayers' money.

Over the past few weeks thieves have been stealing the grates which cover the roadside catchpits, presumably to sell as scrap metal, said Waipa District Council Road Corridor Manager Dawn Inglis.

These thefts are putting the public at grave risk for the sake of a few dollars, Ms Inglis said.

The catchpits the grates cover can be quite deep, and there would be serious consequences if someone were to fall into one.

The thefts are occurring at night, creating a real danger that someone may fall in during the night or early morning, before the missing grate is noticed and reported.

Besides the issue of public safety, this problem is costing ratepayers in terms of staff time and the cost of replacement grates.

The Cambridge Police are investigating the thefts and Ms Inglis urged anyone who has information to call the Police or the council.

Measures to make the grates more difficult to remove are being trialled.