Browse Sections
Interactive
Popular Sections
Partly sunnyNews
| 
Submit Comments
Churches hit by lead theft 'epidemic'
Bethan Dorsett15/ 9/2007
FIRST it was the town centre, then it was the turn of Spotland. Now a council officer is claiming Rochdale faces an ‘epidemic’ of lead thefts following reports that Spotland Methodist Church has been targeted by thieves four times in recent months.
The attacks echo similar incidents in the town centre which have become so regular that they have triggered a police operation.
Jason Addy told the Spotland Area Forum that lead on the roof of the Rooley Moor Road church had been stripped, causing a lot of damage
“There seems to be a lot of metal thefts in the borough,” he said.
“The police have been called out, but it seems to be happening time and time again.”
Community safety officer Mark Reynolds agreed that lead thefts were rising at an ‘alarming rate’, with about a dozen buildings affected in just the town centre.
“Resources are being poured in to efforts to identify the perpetrators and I know scrapyard merchants are being targeted,” said Mr Reynolds.
“They may pay a pittance for the metal, but these criminal activities will fund an addiction.
“This type of crime is recognised as an epidemic in this town.”
Last month the Observer reported on how complaints from angry traders had led to a police operation, codenamed Operation Shaft.
It involved officers visiting various hotspots to gather intelligence on the perpetrators and targeting scrap merchants and second-hand stores.
Responding to the latest incidents, Inspector James Troisi said: “We are aware of the problem, which is not just a forcewide issue but a North West issue.
“As part of the operation, we will also be planning various weeks of action in different areas, where one of the issues we will be targeting is lead thefts.”
The theft of lead throughout the country after the Second World War reached such a high scale that its value was deliberately cut to make it not worth stealing.
But Inspector Troisi said overseas demand for lead had seen an increase in its value.
He believed it was now bringing £1 per pound weight in local scrapyards.
Most recent 2 of 2 user comments
16/09/2007 at 22:57
Got an opinion you want to share?| Company | Typical APR |
| Platinum Exclusive Loan | 7.8% |
| AA | 7.9% |
| Sainsbury's Personal Loan | 8.2% |
| Alliance & Leicester | 8.7% |
| Lloyds TSB | 8.9% |
| Abbey Personal Loan | 8.9% |
| Provider | AER* |
|
ICICI BANK HiSAVE Savings Account |
4.50% |
|
FIRST DIRECT Everyday e-Saver |
1.75% |
|
SAINSBURYS FINANCE Internet Saver |
2.25% |
26/09/2007 at 22:27