RURAL areas should be on their guard during freezing weather — because of grit salt thieves, a local councillor says.

Joe Tucker, from Loxhore, told the

Journal

: "Salt was stolen from the salt bins in Loxhore — not by local residents. How are Devon County Council going to address salt being pinched from the rural villages?"

Joe said between two and three tonnes of salt disappeared from two grit bins overnight and a large bag also vanished.

He said the salt was not put on local roads or pavements and he had his suspicions about where the salt had ended-up but had no absolute proof.

Meanwhile, at a Torrington Town Council meeting, Cllr Andy Boyd said: "During the snow, people were stealing salt from the bins, which was just so selfish of people.

"People could have gone to the depot and been given a little bit for personal use, but instead just took.

"It's very disappointing."

Road salt became an important issue during the "big freeze" in January this year when many roads and pavements were covered in snow and compacted ice.

A Devon County Council spokesman said: "Salt bins and bags are placed at the side of the road for people to use on the public highway on a self-help basis, however salt is not for use on private property.

"Only small amounts of grit and salt are needed to be effective so people must think of others when they use the grit bins."

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said it had no recorded incidents of salt being stolen in North Devon.

● Has your local salt bin been used in a community-minded way? Or has someone been pinching the grit for their own property? Let us know on 01271 347430 or e-mail awilshaw@c-dm.co.uk