Thieves who stole dozens of manhole covers across Sutton earlier this year have returned.

In February more than 50 of the cast-iron covers were pinched in a week after thieves switched their attentions from the Home Counties to London’s leafy suburbs.

But now the borough has been targeted again, with Grennell Road, Pylbrook Road, Downside Road and Hillcroome Road in Sutton; Middleton Road, Durand Close and Winchcombe Road in Carshalton; Richmond Road in Beddington; Lordsbury Field in Wallington and London Road in North Cheam among the areas hit in the last couple of weeks.

As a result of the thefts Sutton Council are warning of the potential dangers faced by pedestrians and motorists.

The covers, worth as much as £200 each, are being taken from manholes and gulleys on roads and pavements and leave a gaping, exposing drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists and pedestrians to the danger of a serious accident.

Councillor Simon Wales, the council's transport spokesman, said: “This is a totally irresponsible crime, which is putting the lives of road users and pedestrians in jeopardy.

“It is also costing councils thousands of pounds at a time when cash is desperately short. If we are paying out to replace manhole covers and gulley covers, that is cash we can’t spend on improving our roads.”

The thefts, are thought to be the work of an organised gang - and also force the council to pay out thousands of pounds in repairs to make the holes safe.

A spokesman for Sutton Police station said: "We are asking members of the public to be vigilant and to tell us if they see anyone lifting a manhole cover onto a flatbed truck or into a van.

"If you see anyone acting suspiciously in this way please make a note of the vehicle registration number and call police immediately on 999.

"We are also contacting scrap metal merchants to make them aware of the problem and to call us with any information that could help with our enquiries."