THIEVES have struck again as more gully gratings have been taken from Dorset’s roads.

This time the target location was Portland where one grating was taken from Weston Street, two from Blacknor Road and one from Underhedge Gardens.

Striking in broad daylight the thieves took at least five gratings in the raids on Thursday.

Gully gratings are found at the side of the roads and are used in the drainage of water from the roads.

One Portland resident who did not which to be named said that the thefts were dangerous.

She said: “In the morning the gratings were there and I came home at 6pm last night. It was lucky I saw the hole or I would have gone down it in my car.

“These people don’t think about safety there are lots of kids round there on their bikes. It’s dangerous.”

Borough councillor for Underhill and Mayor of Weymouth and Portland Paul Kimber said that the holes could be dangerous to walkers and people driving past.

He said: “It’s really irresponsible. It doesn’t bear thinking about, someone could twist their ankle if they were walking about.

“It’s a cost to us when we least need it, it’s an extra burden on us as council tax payers. Some of the gratings are old and will have to be totally replaced.”

This is the third raid in three months on Dorset’s gratings.

In January thieves took 16 gratings from Bincleaves Road and Netherton Road in Weymouth as well as from High Street in Wyke outside the junior school.

Then in February thieves took between 40 to 50 gully gratings across Abbotsbury, Radipole, Ringstead and Nottington.

Dorset County Council sent out road teams to make the holes safe but said that it would be expensive to replace the gratings, as the surrounds would also have to be replaced as well.

A Dorset County Council spokesman said: "We take these crimes very seriously.

“They create danger for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists as well as costing the taxpayer a small fortune.

“It is especially worrying now its getting lighter and more people are out in the evenings.

“No one expects a big hole to be there when they step out to cross the road.”

He added: “We ask that any missing gratings are reported to the county council as soon as possible on our 24-hour enquiry line.

“As soon as we are aware, we aim to be on site within two hours to make the hole safe."

Dorset County Council’s 24-hour inquiry line can be reached on 01305 221020.

* Anyone with information about the thefts should call Dorset Police and ask for PC Mike Holman on 01305 222222.