Residents of a peaceful Birmingham street awoke to a scene of bizarre devastation after a brazen thief systematically stripped every manhole cover from their road in a single overnight raid.
The audacious theft on St Benedict's Road in Small Heath left the residential street pockmarked with gaping holes, creating what locals described as a "death trap" for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike.
Systematic Stripping Under Cover of Darkness
West Midlands Police confirmed they're hunting for the culprit who methodically removed multiple heavy metal drain covers between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. The precision of the operation suggests the thief used specialist tools and potentially a vehicle to transport the substantial haul.
One shocked resident told reporters: "I looked out my window and couldn't believe what I was seeing. Every single cover was gone - it looked like someone had come through with a giant can opener."
Community Left Reeling from Safety Fears
The removal of the vital infrastructure has transformed the ordinarily quiet street into a hazardous obstacle course. Parents expressed particular concern about children walking to school in the darkness of autumn mornings.
"It's an absolute death trap," said another local resident. "If someone fell down one of those holes, especially at night, they could be seriously injured. It's just sheer luck that nobody's been hurt so far."
Metal Theft Epidemic Continues
This incident appears to be part of a worrying trend of metal thefts sweeping across the UK. The rising value of scrap metal has made infrastructure components like manhole covers increasingly attractive targets for thieves.
Birmingham City Council has been notified of the dangerous situation and is working to install temporary safety measures while replacement covers are sourced.
West Midlands Police are appealing for any witnesses or residents with CCTV footage to come forward as they continue their investigation into this unusual and dangerous crime spree.
