The nick of time ... Greenwich line plaques stolen

Brass plaques marking the prime meridian through Greenwich have been stolen, believed to be for scrap metal.

Eight of the nine pavement plaques that run through a housing estate in Hither Green at exactly zero longitude were taken 13 months after being fitted. The plaques follow the north-south line used as the reference point to measure Greenwich Mean Time.

Lewisham councillor Andrew Milton described the thieves as "barbarians", adding: "It's vandalism, destroying a monument and stealing artwork to melt down for scrap for the sake of a few measly pounds."

The plaques were created by Deptford artist Stephen Lewis and unveiled by Lewisham mayor Sir Steve Bullock in April last year.

Mr Lewis said: "They couldn't have just lifted them up as they were cemented in - someone's really had a go at this."