Environment Agency staff have carried out temporary repairs and sealed up a hole in a flood wall at Gowdall after a penstock (flood gate) was stolen.

The theft was discovered by maintenance staff carrying out routine work in the area on November 4.

"Thieves took the whole stainless steel structure, including a gate and winding mechanism, which is heavy and would take three or four people and a large van or truck, possibly with a winch, to move," said an EA spokesman.

Police are linking the theft to an earlier incident involving another penstock only a few hundred metres away.

On that occasion, at the end of September, thieves took the winding mechanism of the penstock but left the gate behind.

The spokesman added: "Both thefts took place in Gowdall Washlands, off the A1041 on Gowdall Lane, and there are homes nearby.

"Removing or damaging penstocks in this area places many properties in Snaith at risk from water off the nearby washlands during times of flood."

As part of its routine maintenance programme, the EA regularly checks penstocks and other flood defence structures to ensure they are in good order and operating correctly.

"Staff have had to step up patrols this year because of a rising number of scrap metal thefts and are in the process of reinforcing penstock housings with concrete."

Members of the public who spot thefts or damage to equipment are urged to contact the Environment Agency as a matter of urgency – call the free incident hotline on 0800 80 70 60.