THIEVES have cost taxpayers thousands by stealing bins across Hammersmith and Fulham.

The crooks have pinched more than 70 bins, both plastic and metal, in the borough in the past 18 months costing the council around £30,000 to replace.

It is believed that the rising price of iron and steel makes the lining of rubbish bins, metal containers on housing estates and even the trays from the gum and cigarette butt bins on lampposts desirable targets for the criminals.

As a result, the council is urging residents to keep their eyes peeled and report any suspicious behaviour.

Councillor Greg Smith, deputy leader, said: ”It is incredible that people will stoop as low as stealing our bins – and all for the sake of a few quid. We are calling on all residents to help us stop these thieves by reporting any suspicious behaviour or any thefts they might see.

“We have some of the cleanest streets in London and work hard to maintain standards. Not only is this costing the council money needlessly through replacing these bins, but it also makes it harder to keep the borough tidy, as rubbish that would have been in these bins ends up being strewn on the streets.”

“Putting it simply - stealing bins is rubbish and these people are trash. Help us stop this.”

Anyone with information about the thefts can contact the police on 101 or the council’s cleaner greener hotline on 020 8753 1100, or email cleaner.greener@lbhf.gov.uk. Any suspicious behaviour or thefts can also be reported online at www.lbhf.gov.uk/reportit.