The theft of Yorkshire stone flags from wall tops and pavements has reached epidemic proportions in some parts of Bradford. Some homeowners have taken to spraying their postcodes conspicuously on to the tops of their walls as a deterrent, preferring defaced stone flags to the inevitable concrete replacement.

Whole pavements have been known to disappear overnight. Gradually, vandalised pavements are being replaced by macadam ones which, though serviceable, are far less attractive.

The thieves clearly are finding a ready market for the stone they steal. Yorkshire stone is a very desirable commodity in other parts of the country. Yet so often it seems to vanish into thin air. Nobody sees or hears it being taken. Nobody knows where it goes. Now, though, police appeals for public vigilance seem to be paying off.

Two men who were caught stealing flagstones are starting prison sentences thanks to the watchfulness of a security guard and a member of the public and the swift response of the police. The security guard spotted the men acting suspiciously in Saltaire. A local resident raised the alarm when he saw them lifting flagstones in Hall Lane, Bradford.

The 40-day sentences imposed on the men by Bingley Magistrates send a clear message to all other would-be flagstone-thieves that this is an offence which society takes seriously. The successful apprehension and prosecution of them should also encourage more members of the public to pick up their telephones when they see people prising flags off pavements and wall tops and loading them into a van at dead of night.