Metal thieves have struck three times in a week at the Beacon Centre for the Blind, stripping copper from roofs days after work began on an £18million redevelopment.

The centre in Sedgley has brought in a security guard to protect the building site and the homes of people living at the Wolverhampton Road East centre from further attacks.

Copper was taken from roofs of workshops at the centre on Sunday and Monday this week.

And the thieves returned on Tuesday to take other metal items including taps, toilets and copper piping.

The warehouse roofs have been almost stripped.

A security guard started duty last night.

Many of the buildings are due to be demolished as part the redevelopment scheme but there are fears that thieves could also target the charity shop and residents’ homes.

The charity shop is one of the buildings not being demolished as part of the redevelopment and would hit the centre hard in the pocket if repairs were needed.

Beacon Centre chief executive Ian Ferguson said: “Security measures are costly, and it is money that should be being spent on delivering services to local people with sight loss.

“The Beacon Centre is home to people with visual impairment, many of whom are elderly.

“These thefts are a violation of their home.

Demolition of the old buildings at the historic centre began last month and is expected to be completed by Christmas, with building work starting in January.

Thieves started rolling back copper on the roof of the charity shop but are believed to have been disturbed.

Beacon appeals officer Barry Butt said if thieves had taken it, the charity shop – a crucial source of income – would have had to be closed down at a further cost of £15,000.

Anyone with information on the thefts is urged to call police on 0845 113 5000.