Police are investigating more than £8,000 of bronze art deco brackets stolen from lampposts on Twickenham Bridge through the years.

Metal thieves have repeatedly plundered the bridge for the brackets and London Assembly member and councillor Tony Arbour has worked with police and Transport for London (TfL) to secure the site.

In the past, TfL, which is responsible for the maintenance of the bridge, has shelled out £750 to replace the brackets, only to have them stolen again.

Councillor Arbour said: “Twickenham Bridge is Grade II listed and its art deco fitments are a unique feature.

“It is appalling that they have been targeted by thieves and vandals who want only their scrap value.

“I sincerely hope that TfL will make it extremely difficult for the brackets to be stolen or damaged once they are replaced, and that the criminals are severely punished.”

TfL has had discussions with its community safety, enforcement and policing team in order to try to secure the site further before the brackets are replaced.