THE Chief Constable of Gwent Police has told a board meeting how thefts of wheelie bins have rocketed in Caerphilly county borough.

Jeff Farrar told representatives at a meeting of the Strategy and Performance Board police have recorded 300 more thefts of wheelie bins.

Mr Farrar said the problem of alleged stolen wheelie bins has been an issue before in the local authority area of Caerphilly Council before but has now returned.

He said: “We have been recording issues of bins being stolen and have said we will investigate those.

“But it may be a recording issue. It may be easier for people to say their bins have been stolen rather than damaged.

“Somebody may phone up and say it was stolen when it hasn’t been stolen. If you can save £100 by saying it has been stolen rather than damaged, why not?”

The meeting was also attended by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Gwent Police, Ian Johnston.