Residents have been left baffled after a man nicked up to 21 manhole covers from a single street in one night.

Locals in Orpington, Greater London, woke up on Wednesday morning (October 22) to the discovery that several manhole covers in Edgewood Drive had mysteriously disappeared.

After checking their Ring doorbell camera, one resident captured the metal thief making off with two of the covers in the middle of the night.

CCTV shows the man walking over in what appears to be a camouflage hoodie just after 1am and grabbing a cover while he holds another in his hand.

According to residents, 21 manhole covers in total were swiped from the street, which they suspect they may have to pay for themselves.

Kat Lechowska, 36, who has lived in her flat in the leafy area for three years says that she believes the thief could be selling the covers for scrap metal.

She said: "I got a message in our neighbourhood WhatsApp group chat with photos of the empty wells warning people to watch out. "

"We have been told by Thames Water that 21 manhole covers were stolen all in one night. "

"We have heard of some other petty theft such as breaking car windows to get change but never manhole covers. It is really bizarre. "

"When I first found out I started laughing. Then I tried to help my neighbours figure out who to report this to. "

"It is a very unusual thing to steal. We think that it was for scrap metal but one of my neighbours said they might appear on eBay."

Residents say that they reported the incident to Thames Water and their management company, and the covers were replaced later that day.

Thames Water has confirmed that they investigated the incident, but that since it is private land the management company are responsible for their replacement.