THIEVES are creating a safety hazard in North Yorkshire - costing the council tax payers thousands of pounds in the process.

Road signs giving motorists crucial warnings have been disappearing across the county particularly from the Richmond area.

Warning signs, including those alerting drivers to steep gradients, and speed limits have all disappeared in the past and the rate of the thefts is increasing.

And although nobody has been hurt so far because of the thefts, highways engineers believe it is only a matter of time. In the past week alone about 30 signs - which will cost more than £10,000 to replace - have gone missing.

Engineers believe many of them have been stolen for their scrap value and to counter that all alloy signs which have been taken will be replaced with plastic ones which have no scrap value.

The county council is now looking for public help in catching the thieves as quickly as possible, before there is a tragic accident.

"Official work on road signs can only carried out during normal working hours," said head of environmental management Mike Moore.

"Anyone tampering with signs at weekends or in the evening should be reported to the police immediately."

During the latest series of incidents, a grey car was reported in the Richmond area that may be connected to the thefts.

Offenders who are caught could face fines of up to £1,000 for each offence. They are also likely to face charges for causing danger to road users - an offence which can carry a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.