A man has been charged with the theft of manhole covers after police stopped a vehicle in Bradford.

Bradford South Roads Policing officers made a routine check of a Ford Transit van in Horton Park Avenue, Little Horton.

The vehicle was driven off but was stopped in nearby Cecil Avenue and two manhole covers were recovered from it.

Two more covers were subsequently found at a house in Clayton Road, Bradford.

A 22-year-old man has been charged with theft and bailed to appear before Bradford Magistrates Court on Tuesday, October 13.

The arrest took place on Saturday morning. It followed the highlighting of concerns over metal thefts in the Bradford district.

The Telegraph & Argus revealed last week there had been a surge in thefts of cast-iron drain and manhole covers, with more than 200 since the start of August.

Hotspot areas include Bowling, Barkerend, Eccleshill and Little Horton.

Bradford Council has spent £35,000 to replace the stolen grids, while Yorkshire Water is facing an annual £100,000 bill for stolen drain covers, hydrants and cables.

Concerns were expressed about public safety because of the thefts.

Coun Ghazanfer Khaliq, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and sustainability, said yesterday: “Bradford Council and the police will continue to work hard to eradicate the problem of manhole cover thefts, which not only costs the Council taxpayers many thousands of pounds, but also threatens public safety.

“We would ask for as much public co-operation as possible in trying to stamp out this selfish crime.”

Inspector Pam Mills, of Bradford South Police, said: “As we have recently underlined, the theft of manhole covers or grates presents safety risks and dangers to pedestrians and cyclists.

“I would call on anyone with information to contact police on 0845 6060606.”