Concerned residents of Thornton fear more Yorkshire stone will be stolen if further action is not taken to protect it.

Stone slabs outside Michelle Champion’s Hair Design salon on Thornton Road were thought to have been loosened in preparation for stealing.

Bradford Council took action and cemented the stones back down.

Jenny Oliver, of Thornton Road, said she and other residents were concerned about the safety of the expensive stone in this conservation area, which is protected because of its architectural and historical interest.

She has suggested installing CCTV cameras, particularly on Market Street, in a bid to protect them.

She said: “These paving stones at the central cross roads of Thornton Road and Kipping Lane had been raised around the outside ready to be stolen.

“It took two weeks for anything to be done about it after numerous calls to the Council.

“This is not just an isolated incident. The front pathway passing the Bronte birthplace and the adjacent two houses have had about ten slabs taken in recent weeks.

“If these stones had been stolen from outside the salon, like other ones have, then they would have been replaced with cement blocks in contravention of the Council’s conservation policy for this area.

“I would ask anyone who sees anything suspicious over the stone slabs to contact the police immediately.”

Following a Freedom of Information request by the T&A in April it was revealed that more than 600 thefts of Yorkshire stone had been recorded across Bradford in three years, with just 16 charges brought against those responsible.

Councillor Malcolm Sykes (Con. Thornton) said: “I am aware of this problem and I know this is something the police are trying to stop and there has been some local success with people being caught and charged.”

“CCTV could be an idea, particularly in conservation areas like this, and I will take this suggestion to the next Bradford West Area Committee meeting.”