Thieves have resorted to stealing drain and manhole covers in bid to profit from the rising price of metal.
Gwent Police is appealing for information about the thefts and have issued a safety warning to residents to keep their eyes open.
On Monday November 8 two drain covers were reported to have been removed from the access road to Newton Industrial Estate, Crosskeys, while on Tuesday November 9, drain covers were stolen from a car park on Gladstone Street, Crosskeys as well as Pantddu Road, Aberbeeg.
Investigating officers are appealing for information to anyone who may have seen people in the areas acting suspiciously or lifting the covers to contact police.
Covers were also taken from a water culvert on Maeshafod, Blaina Gwent, on Saturday November 6.
A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “These type of thefts are not only illegal, but cause danger to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. The replacement cost of covers is also a burden on the public purse at a time when financial issues are uppermost in people’s minds.
“If anyone is seen interfering with, or working on, drain covers please report the sighting immediately to police. Any information with regard to descriptions and vehicle details would assist enquiries greatly.
“Anyone with any information should contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111.”