Thieves steal lead from Shropshire church
Thieves have stolen lead from an historic church, leaving its kitchen extension in danger of being flooded.
Raiders targeted the St Michael and All Angels Church in Welshampton in the early hours, stripping about half a tonne of lead tiles from the roof of the kitchen and toilet.
The lead, worth about £1,000 was marked with Smart Water identification when it was put on the extension, which was built in 2006.
Members of the Parochial Church Council say they will now have to wait for estimates for replacement and the go-ahead from the diocese for the damage to be righted.
A member of the PCC, Mr Keith Egerton, said in the meantime a tarpaulin had been put up to try to stop water getting into the building.
He said the theft was discovered first thing on Sunday morning.
A truck was seen outside the church, which stands just off the main road through the village, in the early hours of Sunday.
Participants on a charity tractor run, which travelled through Welshampton at about the same time, may have seen the thieves. Mr Egerton said: “The new kitchen and toilet block was put up in 2006 after we raised in excess of £60,000 to build it.
“Our worry now is that the rain will get into the building. We have had someone come and put a tarpaulin up and despite the rain the ceiling is still intact. We will have to wait for estimates and the go-ahead from the church before we can get the work done.”
He appealed for anyone who might have seen suspicious activity in Welshampton or anyone, such as scrap dealers, offered lead, to contact West Mercia police.
Police spokesman Paul Roberts said: “A substantial amount of lead roof tiles were removed from the kitchen roof sometime between 10pm on July 22 and 10am on July 23. Police are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed any suspicious behaviour to contact them.
Anybody with information is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident number 287s of July 23 or use the Crimestoppers number 0800 555 111.
