A WHEELIE bin burning craze in Athersley and New Lodge has forced police to give residents locks and chains to stop yobs stealing them.

Officers believe youths are setting fire to the bins so they can melt them and inhale the fumes.

Royston tasking officer Sandra Cooper said bins are reported stolen nearly every day, and about 50 have had to be replaced in the last few weeks.

“Over the last month it’s been a major problem in Athersley and New Lodge.

“The youths seem to think it’s good fun to nick the wheelie bins, take them to the football fields, then set them on fire and sniff them.

“I don’t know what the benefit of this is, but it’s causing major problems for residents who have to order new bins and it’s costing the council a fortune as well.”

Although there have been incidents elsewhere in the borough, the craze is confined mainly to Athersley and New Lodge.

The £750 cost of the scheme has been funded by the council and the fire service, and police hope it will stop the thieves and reassure residents.

Sandra added: “At least it’s one extra measure and we hope it will stop them pinching the bins.

“They do seem to be targeting the elderly, which is especially bad because they can’t run after them.”

Officers started handing out the locks at Baslow Road, one of the worst affected areas, on Wednesday, and will continue in other areas two days a week for the next month.