SCRAP-METAL thieves, eager to cash in on the UK’s estimated £700 million-a-year illegal metal trade, have been targeting Hillingdon.

Thousands of tons are stolen across the country every year and more than 250 drain covers were stolen in Hillingdon last year.

Even Barra Hall, the council-owned listed building in Wood End Green Road, Hayes, had a number of valuable lead panels stolen.

However, the council is tackling the problem by replacing some items that could be sold for scrap with replica ones.

Man-hole cover replacements are heavy duty plastic and have no scrap value, and the Barra Hall roof was replaced with a lead substitute.

The council has also decided to remove a sign on Robbie Bell Bridge.

The bridge, in Church Road, Cowley, was renamed in 1989 after eight year-old Robbie was hit by a car and killed in August 1987.

The weight sign was placed there by the old Middlesex County Council.

A replacement sign is being made and the original will be kept in the borough archive for safe storage until a secure venue to display it has been found.

Residents are being urged to be vigilant as thieves are targeting an increasing variety of objects from cabling, to playground slides and even fire escape stairs.

Contact the council’s anti-social behaviour team to report any metal theft on 01895 250111 or email asbinvestigations@hillingdon.gov.uk