[eric_b]

Good for a laugh:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Some 50 drain covers have been stolen in the Belgian city of Charleroi over the past few days, police say.

Police believe the sewer lids - made of cast iron - have been taken for their scrap metal value, because surging prices have made them more lucrative.

The thefts posed "serious threats to people and we take it seriously," said the city's police chief Philippe Goffaux, quoted by Reuters news agency.

He said a 40kg (88lb) lid could fetch six euros (£4) on the black market.

"We put pressure on resellers of metals in the region and warned them they will be prosecuted if they are found with lid covers," Mr Goffaux said.

[Specop_007]

Crackheads and zombies both readily succumb to 5.56, and with most states having some form of "Stand your ground" laws woe be the man who tries to steal from a prepared individual.

That said, stealing lid covers is a pretty good idea. Most stories I've heard have been hitting new construction houses at night to strip them of the wiring, as copper fetches a good price these days.

[Grifter]

A local pub near where I live closed down. It has since been broken into and all the copper piping and some of the copper wire have been ripped out.

They didn't even turn the water stop cock off. Ruined a perfectly good piano too.

I didn't want to get into a peak oil conversation so just stood around tutting with the rest of the (ex) locals.

[Madpaddy]

We had 3 tonnes pf copper stolen from a building site adjacent to us a few weeks back.

But this news of sewer lids really hit home. This will make it much easier for the shit to hit the fan.