MINDLESS vandals have removed dozens of drain gully covers across Bournemouth, causing problems for unwitting motorists.

Northbourne, Winton, Queens Park, Littledown and Strouden Park are the latest areas to be targeted in this most recent spate, which comes just weeks after roads in Southbourne and Hengistbury Head were vandalised.

It’s thought the thieves sell the drain covers as scrap metal but they create a headache for motorists, who risk getting stuck in the holes, and the council, which has to replace them.

One Northbourne Avenue resident, whose car got stuck in a hole outside her house, said: “There was just this almighty crunch and I didn’t know what had happened.

“Now I am stuck in this hole and have to wait for a recovery truck to come and lift the car out.

“It really was a massive bang. I imagine my suspension will have gone.

“It’s just annoying because my neighbour has since told me they rang the police and council at 9am but nothing was done for a couple of hours.

“I hit the hole at 10.30am.”

Cllr Michael Filer, cabinet member for cleansing and waste, said: “The stealing of these drain covers is not only antisocial but is also extremely dangerous and puts the safety of residents at risk, so we encourage people to get in touch if they spot anything suspicious or if they are offered any scrap metal from these drains.

“In the meantime our street services team have been securing the affected areas and replacing the covers and frames as quickly as possible.”

Roads where thefts have been reported include: Queens Park West Drive, St George’s Avenue, Broad Avenue, Harewood Avenue, Gainsborough Road, Newlands Road, Normanhurst Avenue, Northbourne Avenue, Markham Avenue, Markham Close, Gloucester Road, Horsham Avenue, Castleton Avenue and St Ledger’s Road.

Anyone with information about the incidents are asked to please contact Bournemouth council on 01202 451451, Dorset Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.