You've not got mail - thieves have stolen the box

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/ve-got-m ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

POSTBOXES have been stolen from a number of towns and villages in the past week with thieves likely to be looking to flog them as scrap metal.

Now police in the Moorlands, where five have been stolen, say the boxes – along with chimney pots – are becoming increasingly popular items among criminals.

Following the spate of thefts, which has also seen boxes in Stone and Hilderstone taken, officials at Royal Mail are advising affected customers to use Post Office branches while they work to replace them.

Those stolen include boxes set on small poles and other units on walls.



Since September 19, boxes have been stolen from locations including Southlowe Road, Werrington, Church Lane, in Cauldon, Kingsley Holt's Hillcrest Avenue and from the rural village of Calton Moor.

Those thefts come after a box was taken from New Road, in Dilhorne, on August 24.

The incidents have been condemned by community leaders, who say it will come as an inconvenience for many residents.

Councillor Ivor Lucas, who is vice-chairman of Kingsley Parish Council and a member of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, believes the value of metal is at a low.

He said: "My son Daniel does banger racing and when the vehicles are totally destroyed he will take them as scrap, but the price is low so he is holding on to them.

"I am really surprised people are stealing these postboxes as they are not worth what they may think and it is a real inconvenience for people.

"It is concerning for people who may have posted money and things like that."

PC Dave Stubbs, who is based at Cheadle's police station, says he has noted a rise in postboxes and chimney pots being stolen.

He said: "The theft is unlikely to do with the letters and contents.

"Thefts of these and chimney pots are becoming an increasingly common occurrence. They are quite valuable items and fetch some money on websites like eBay.

"Chimney pots, roofing tiles and things like coping stones are becoming the new form of scrap metal and we are seeing a number of thefts and burglaries of sheds and building sites where these items are taken."

Elsewhere boxes in Stone's Airdale Road and Moss Lane, in Hilderstone, were also stolen.

Val Bodden, spokesman for the Royal Mail, said: "Thankfully thefts of postboxes are relatively rare. We apologise to customers for any inconvenience this may cause and we would advise customers to use other postboxes in the area or drop their mail off at any Post Office branch."

Anyone with information is asked to call Staffordshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 941 of September 19.