article_snippet: Chinese officials have taken an unusual step in the fight against scrap metal thieves by starting to fit Chinese officials manholes with GPS tracking devices.
article_snippet: Councils across China are rushing to snap up the new high-tech manhole covers as Councils across the country try to curb the theft of the old, low-tech versions, according to the People's Daily Online.
article_snippet: The seemingly drastic measure was taken after previous anti-theft measures - chaining the manhole covers to street lamps - left officials red-faced, turning for sale in various places around the world.
article_snippet: High tech: The new manhole covers are fitted with tracking devices to help authorities find the thieves .
article_snippet: More than 240,000 manholes were stolen in Beijing over a 10 year period, thanks to metal values .
article_snippet: The new manhole covers, along with drain grills, can fetch high prices on the black market, as the price of scrap metal has spiraled in recent years.
article_snippet: It has been estimated that more than 240,000 manhole covers were stolen from Beijing's streets in the 10 years to 2013 alone.
article_snippet: A test batch of 100 smart manhole covers will be placed on streets in the city of Hangzhou this month,  and - if it is a success - they will be added throughout the city of Hangzhou.
article_snippet: Officials have revealed there is a safety concern motivating Officials purchases as well, as people could trip on an upturned manhole.
highlights_snippet: More than 240,000 manhole covers stolen in Beijing over a 10-year period .
  
highlights_snippet: Authorities previously tried chaining More than 240,000 manhole covers stolen in Beijing over a 10-year period .
   