THE cost of replacing vital firefighting equipment stolen from a Bournemouth tower block was more than ten times what scrap metal thieves likely made from their haul.

Dorset Fire & Rescue Service (DFRS) said lives were being put at risk after it was discovered fire safety equipment was being ripped out of the conurbation's tower blocks.

Firefighters issued the warning to landlords, last month, following the latest theft of dry riser valves from Bournemouth's Richmond Gate apartment complex.

These valves, vital for quick access to water in the event of a high-rise blaze, are being sold on the scrap metal black market, it is believed.

Eleven out of 13 valves were discovered missing from Richmond Gate

The material used for the valves, gun metal, has a scrap value of just £2.20 per kilo. So each dry riser stolen is probably netting thieves around £20.

Property manager Jo Mellery-Pratt, who looks after Richmond Gate, told the Daily Echo the cost of replacing the valves had been more than £2,700.

He added: "We were very surprised to find out they'd been taken, and as soon as we had our priority was to make sure they were put back in again.

"If there had of been a fire the theft of this equipment was effectively creating a higher risk to life.

"On the new ones we've had fitted, two of their four bolts are domed bolts, special bolts that lock in place. This makes it a lot harder for anyone to take them."

DFRS crew manager Martin Mansbridge said without the dry risers firefighters would need to run hoses all the way up through a building to fight the fire.

"This could take more time and ultimately costs lives," he stressed.

The Richmond Gate thefts were the second of their kind reported in Bournemouth, fuelling fears that this type of crime - already a major issue London - is spreading outwards from the capital.

Mr Mansbridge explained: "A dry riser is a pipe running up through a building with outlets which allows firefighters to quickly get water to where it is needed to fight the fire. They are an essential part of our firefighting tactics.

"We are advising owners and managing agents to carry out regular inspections and where appropriate fit anti-tamper bolts and welded nuts to deter thieves.

"We are working with Dorset Police and local scrapyards to ensure this crime is not repeated and the thieves are caught."