THIEVES are stealing manhole and drain covers from roads around Musselburgh to sell for scrap metal.

Police say that about eight manhole covers have been reported stolen from the A6124 between the Honest Toun and Whitecraig, with East Lothian Council reporting road gully covers – the drains at the side of roads for flood water – are also missing around Musselburgh and the surrounding area.

People are being urged to call the police if they see council workers carrying out roadside repairs outwith normal working hours.

A council spokeswoman said: “It is likely the road gullies are being targeted by people who look like they are carrying out council repairs.

“If anyone sees this happening, outside normal working hours, we urge them to report it.” Police say the manhole covers which were taken were heavy and would have needed a van or flatbed lorry to move them.

Speaking to Musselburgh and Inveresk Community Council last week, a community police officer said the missing covers had since been temporarily replaced with steel sheets, with traffic cones on top of them.

He said: “The area to the west of Musselburgh has been targeted recently, and quite a few manhole covers have been taken.

“We are working with the scrap merchants to try and ensure they do not buy the covers, so there is no market for the stolen metal. The best way to deter it is stop it being bought.”