Holes have opened up on Dunedin's roads and footpaths, courtesy of a light-fingered thief with a penchant for heavy metal.
Twenty-four valve covers have vanished from around the city, including as far afield as Waikouaiti, over the past fortnight, Senior Sergeant Steve Aitken said.
Police were alerted to the thefts yesterday by Dunedin City Council staff. It was likely attempts would be made to sell the heavy alloy covers for scrap, he said.
The rectangular-shaped covers, about 40cm long, are inscribed with ''DCC WV''.
Snr Sgt Aitken said the missing covers left ''large holes that are dangerous at night for cyclists, motorbikes and motorists''.
''The people who steal them are obviously only interested in financial gain for themselves, and don't give a hoot about the personal safety of anyone who might be using the roads.''
Dozens of grates - used to cover mud tanks in the council's stormwater system - were stolen from around the city in August 2009.
Anyone with information was asked to contact Dunedin police on (03) 471-4800.
