Buildings targeted for lead

Metal thieves have stolen lead from the roofs of buildings, including Wyre Forest churches and schools, as the problem continues to blight the Midlands.

They have struck at Baxter College and Holy Trinity School, both in Kidderminster, St John The Baptist Church, Wolverley, Cookley Primary School, and homes in Sutton Park Road, Kidderminster and Longbank, Bewdley. More than £1,700 of lead has been stolen.

The latest attack was at a house in Sutton Park Road, where lead was removed from the garage roof in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Baxter College was hit some time between Friday and Tuesday of this week when an estimated £1,000 of lead flashing was stolen.

The house in Longbank was targeted at the same time, when £300 worth of lead was stolen from above a bay window.

Raiders targeted The St John the Baptist Church the same weekend and also Holy Trinity School, when £100 of lead was stolen. Both attacks were discovered after the roofs leaked.

Also last weekend was the Holy Trinity burglary, in which £100 worth of lead was stolen.

Pc Sally Sliwinska, of Kidderminster Police, said today: "Lead thefts have been an ongoing problem but we have seen a spate reported in the last few days.

"We would appeal for residents to be vigilant. The offenders are likely to have a vehicle, so anyone who sees people on the roof and becomes suspicious is asked to make a note of the registration number and contact police on 08457 444888."

West Mercia Constabulary is currently running Operation Livewire, an initiative to tackle metal thefts.