VALUABLE Yorkshire stone paving slabs have been ripped up from Liverpool's historic Hope Street area in a daring daylight robbery.
Two sections of stones, laid almost 200 years ago, disappeared from Blackburne Place, and from Huskisson Street, outside St Bride's Church over the weekend.
In both cases thieves put “men at work” barriers around the excavations to give the impression of legitimate road works as they went about their business amid an unsuspecting public.
Now Merseyside Police is investigating the thefts after they were flagged up by Liverpoool Confidential.
If not stolen to order, it is most likely that the stones, which are unmarked, will be sold on the lucrative black market as “reclaimed”.
Dirty diggers: Thieves leave their bogus barriers and signs behind on Huskisson Street
Today Dr Emlyn Williams, from the Rodney Street Association, issued a plea to local residents to be on the look out for street thieves posing as genuine workers.
He said: “It is clear this is the work of thieves. They have left gaping holes in the pavements with no regard for public safety.
"I would urge anybody in the area to keep a close watch for work teams and take down any particulars, such as vehicle registration numbers. It is almost certain that legitimate contractors and the utility companies will have identifiable vehicles.”
Blackburne Terrace and Huskisson Street lie in the Canning Conservation Area and its mansions were built at the height of Liverpool's New World trade wealth. Largely unchanged, it remains a popular UK location for TV and film crews shooting period dramas.
On the mend: Blackburne Place
Dr Williams added: “The paving slabs are an important part of our historic streetscape and they must be protected. Of course if anybody saw these people and work and can provide any details that will be even better. Luckily we will have stopped them before they get away with any more of our streets.”
Today Liverpool City Council and its streets maintenance partner, Enterprise, were investigating what had happened and ensuring the two sites were safe. Council security staff are also checking CCTV cameras.
Today swift repair work was carried out in Blackburne Place by the council after it was alerted by Councillor Tim Moore, its cabinet member for transport and climate change.
He said he had plans to have urgent talks with highways and security officials to discuss ways of protecting streets from theft.
Historic: St Bride's ChurchCllr Moore said: “Thefts of paving slabs occurs from time to time and we need to look at all ways of preventing them. These paving stones are an important part of the street scenes in our historic conservation areas.”
Although the pavement has been filled in, it is not yet known if the stones will eventually be replaced, like for like, especially given the city's looming financial burdens.
While the streets of L8 aren't paved with gold, for some it's as near as damn it: Yorkshire stone paving is in short supply, owing to quarrying shortages, and even old flags such as these can cost in excess of £100 a square metre from genuine sellers.
From a council spokesman...
"There have been recent reported thefts of natural stone paving materials in seven areas across the City. These are St Mary’s Street L25, Sleepers Hill L4, Back Mulberry Street L7, Back Canning Street L8, Blackburn Place L8, Huskinson Street L8 and Doric Road L13.
"These have been reported to Merseyside Police.. We are currently reviewing CCTV footage to see if there is any evidence that can be forwarded to the Police.
"All the above areas have been made safe with barriers or temporary tarmac, or in the case of Sleepers Hill with PCC flags. They will all be permanently reinstated with like for like materials within the next 25 days.
"The cost for permanently reinstating all the above locations is
£3,737.92p and this includes the costs for the emergency make safe works."
