Metal thieves have struck at a Wolverhampton surgery for the fifth time, leaving the resident GP at the end of his tether.
The latest attack on Bradley Medical Centre, which saw lead ripped from the roof, comes a month after the flashing was replaced following the previous theft.
The intruders caused thousands of pounds damage and left a gaping hole in the roof of the Hallgreen Street practice. Today councillors criticised the level of police presence in Bilston.
They have organised talks with the area’s new inspector Alison Kenny. Thieves have struck three times at the medical centre in the last eight months and also took lead flashing two years ago.
Dr Charman Lal said today: “We despair that anything can be done. It’s highly upsetting that we appear to be targeted in this way. The only thing we can do is replace the lead with synthetic material, which is inferior but at least it may keep the thieves away.”
Staff noticed the roof was damaged at 8.15am yesterday as they arrived for work.
Bradley councillors Bert Turner and Stephen Simkins are meeting with Insp Kenny tomorrow about policing in Bilston.
Councillor Turner said: “We are not happy with the police presence in the town.
“Given what Dr Lal and his staff have been through, it’s not fair.”
Insp Kenny said: “I am not aware of any issues over police presence in the area but I look forward to listening to what the councillors have to say.”
West Midlands Police launched Operation Steel to crack down on metal thefts.
Bus shelters, brass door fittings and even grave ornaments have been removed by thieves cashing in on the soaring price of metal sparked by the construction boom in the Far East.
More than 400 people have been arrested. Earlier this year it was revealed that lead was being replaced on buildings owned by Wolverhampton City Council in a bid to foil the gangs.
13 Comments
hm perhaps they should get a camera probably about £100 from argos
the police may have launched ‘operation steel’ (how do they come up with these remarkable names) but they dont help themselves by announcing on tv that the rocketing price of copper and lead is leading to these burgalaries. give the scumbags an idea why dont you? perhaps if the criminals took lead off the roofs of the many take away outlets the police can always be found in the problem might be sorted.
Phil, they would nick that as well.
We are to soft when catch them,crush the vans and shop the hands off and stop there benifits.
The ONLY answer is to birch these blighters. We should STOP listening to the bleeding-hearts do-gooders and bring back corporal and capital punishment with immediate effect. Mind you, with a government that doesn’t even know the difference we may as well all continue living in cloud cuckoo land
jake 3 they would if on view but they can be hidden.spot on garry 2 about the takeaways
they r not happy with the police up there try the villers its geting the same here and u never see any 1 even the prtend police think iv seen them twice and that was of a dinner time not after school when they r al out playing up
Birch them every Sunday morning in the market place. Call out there names and addresses as they come forward and send out invites a week before to all nearby residents where they live. Start with 3 lashings and double the lashings each time they appear.
Fit non lead flashing that is worthless to the thief. Fine the scrapyards where it is proved they are receiving obviously stolen metal like grave ornaments, etc.
Try looking for the local travelers site, you can bet your life on it being there. To stop the problem stop using the materials, look for an alternative that isn’t of any street value!
If those recieving the metal were a little more interested in where it came from rather than the ‘fast buck’ then ther would be no outlet for the metal thieves. What ever happened to the charge of “recieving” ?
Leigh why singal out Travellers, why NOT your next door neighbour !!!You never know what goes on behind closed doors. !!!!! I agree with Bob the receivers of this metal should be Charged.
Chrissey 9 times out of 10 thieves are people that dont work because they cant be bothered, and show no respect to anyone but themselves. Travellers dont show any respect, they dont work and are tax evaders. I am entitled to my own opinion and many people probably wont agree with it but life goes on.
leigh what shift you on today