Theft of drain covers grates on water firm
Thieves have recently been stealing dozens of iron sewer grates in Thessaloniki and are putting people’s lives in danger, authorities said yesterday. More than 120 grates have been stolen since the beginning of September, according to Christos Bouras, the head of the drainage network for the Thessaloniki Water Company (EYATH). Bouras said that the covers are not all the same size, which means that once they are stolen, EYATH must order a replacement to be made. This takes at least 24 hours so the drain is left uncovered during that time, posing a risk to passers-by. Bouras added that the grates are usually stolen from areas that are dimly lit at night. The thieves are believed to melt down the iron and sell it on to scrap dealers or merchants. Each grate weighs some 100 kilos and is worth up to 30 euros.
