At least 56 faucets, worth a total 310,000 yen, have been stolen from water supply pipes at rice paddies in Ibaraki Prefecture, police said.

Investigators suspect that thieves stole them in order to make some cash, as metal prices are on the rise. Ditch gratings along roads and bells on fire-watching towers have been also been stolen in the prefecture.

The faucets are typically made of copper-based alloy or iron, are about 10 centimeters tall and 5 centimeters in diameter and are fixed to water-supply pipes at rice paddies. They are worth between 1,000 yen and 5,000 yen each.

As far as police have confirmed, 26 faucets have been stolen in Ryugasaki, 15 in Namegata, seven in Tsukuba, six in Hokota and two in Kawachi.

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By Sun Tzu on 24-02-2007