Metal thieves nick slides and peals

I just saw a story about how thieves in Japan, prompted by rising metal prices, have been nicking children's slides, the roofs off public toilets and those little thingies that hold incense on graves. Yes, those Japanese certainly are resourceful. But Lithuanians got up to such pranks first.

Last year, the clock tower that stands near Vilnius Cathedral was renovated, and light-fingered scallywags took the opportunity to nick the copper cables that made the bell actually operate.

I'm not sure if the bells are ringing again yet. I don't hang around listening for it, to be honest. Nor do I hang around the kiddy slides, obviously, so I can't report on their status either. But it looks like anything made of metal is in danger. Fortunately, the statue of the Iron Wolf is made of stone, so that should be safe.

• Let The Bells Ring photo from Flickr by rcubed.


• Metal thieves steal kids' slides, toilet roof [Reuters].