I think so too, my stopcock had sheared off in the house, and I didn't want the grief of changing it. Plumber came out and wouldn't touch it as the street valve was silted up.
Called the WaterCo and they had to dig it out an replace it (no charge)
Plumber came back and sorted the stopcock easily. (Having seen him do it, i'd do it myself now)
They did for me, as it is their property.
Who owns the pipe from the service valve to the stopcock ? Cheers,
Paul.