Children are being put at risk by thieves hellbent on cashing in on high metal prices.

They have been targeting the borough’s concrete lampposts and stealing the protective alumnium doors to sell for scrap metal.

But the thefts have left the lampposts’ 240 volt electrical wiring exposed and within easy reach of the curious, especially children.

In the last two months nearly half of Bexley’s 3,500 concrete lampposts have been targeted.

So far it has cost Bexley Council more than £40,000 to make the lampposts safe in the wake of the thefts, as more than 1,500 doors have gone missing.

Councillor Peter Craske whose cabinet responsibility for transport covers street lighting said: “This selfish crime is unbelievable.”

“To leave lamp column wires exposed at a height where children can reach them, is outrageous.”

If touched, the naked lamp wiring can give an electric shock strong enough to cause serious injury, especially to a child.

Bexley Council says so far, no one has been hurt, but it is working flat out to make sure all lamp columns whose doors have been stolen, are made safe within an hour of being reported.

The council says despite an arrest in December, when two men were charged and received community service orders from Bexley magistrates, the thefts have continued.

Another team of council workers is working its way around the borough marking all the existing lamp doors to help identify the stolen doors and assist in any further prosecutions.

Cllr Craske said: “This is a crime where the victim is not simply the council, it is every council taxpayer in the borough.”

He added: “I urge the public to report anyone seen removing doors to the police immediately.”

Bexley police and council officers are also carrying out surveillance across the borough and people are asked to report any suspicious behaviour.

Anyone who sees a lamppost with its wires exposed should immediately call the council on 020 8303 7777 option one or, out of hours, call the same number and ask for the emergency duty officer.

Bexley police say they are working closely with the council.

A spokeswoman said: “We are visiting scrapyards and telling their staff not to accept the stolen doors.”

She said anyone who has any information about those stealing the doors should call Bexley police on 0800 123 1212.

If anyone sees a theft in progress they should dial 999.