DRIVERS in St Neots have been urged to be on their guard after a spate of road sign thefts.

DRIVERS in St Neots have been urged to be on their guard after a spate of road sign thefts.

Police have warned that the theft of the metal signs, including warning signs and tight bend markers, could make driving in rural areas more dangerous.

About 20 signs, including warning signs beside roads and road name plaques, have been taken overnight in recent weeks in and around Waresley, Great Gransden and Abbotsley.

Valuable aluminium signs were also stolen from Abbotsley Golf Hotel and gymnasium complex.

They are to be replaced with a plastic signs which have no scrap value.

Sgt Ed McNeill, from the St Neots neighbourhood policing team, said: “The stolen signs have been both steel and aluminium and are believed to have been stolen for their scrap value.

“The local authority highways department is aware of the thefts and is in the process of replacing their missing signs with signs made from a laminated plastic material which has no scrap value.”

Sgt McNeill said it was concerning because the stolen signs included warning signs and chevrons from tight bends on minor rural roads.

He added: “This may make driving in these areas more hazardous and we are asking the public to moderate their driving to compensate for possible stolen signage.”

INFORMATION: Anyone with information should contact police on 0345 4564564, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.