Scrap-metal thieves have now resorted to stealing the gates of homeowners.

One man who resides at a Red Hills Road address told THE STAR that he recently became a victim of these culprits when he came out one morning only to see his gates missing.

"I am tired of them and this must be stopped. It was about 4 a.m. when I heard a noise outside but I ignored it. When I went outside about 6 a.m., I saw no gates. Just space," said the angry man.

According to the male resident, the scarp metal thieves normally travel in a pair with a small blow torch to make their work easier.

reports

A police officer attached to the Area-Five Division told THE STAR that he has heard about this activity, however, the incidents have not been reported.

Another police officer attached to the Area-Four Division also confirmed hearing of the activity. He said that this is an activity which he has heard about since last year, however, he too had no reports.

Based on information reaching THE STAR, in one other case, a female pensioner who resides at a St Andrew address lost her gate one morning at the hands of the thieves.

The woman is said to have tied one side of the gate with a wire after it lost its hinges. She is said to have received the shock of her life one morning when she realised that the gate was missing.

Since the recent upsurge in the theft of metal items, the government recently ceased some aspects of the scrap-metal trade.