Thieves leave church with £10k repair bill (From Echo)

Thieves leave church with £10k repair bill

9:40am Monday 8th March 2010 in

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A CHURCH congregation is devastated after thieves stripped the lead flashing from the parish centre.

Crooks left a repair bill of at least £10,000 for the Holy Trinity Church, in Rectory Garth, Rayleigh, after they scrambled on to the roof to steal the precious metal and caused extensive damage.

This has a knock-on effect on a large number of community groups in Rayleigh, who regularly use the building to hold their meetings.

The Rector, the Rev Mike Lodge, said: “Everyone in the church is devastated by the theft of the lead, as are the local community who use the facilities.

“We urge as many people as possible to be as vigilant as they are able to be and if they see or hear anything suspicious to contact the police immediately, even if it turns out to be completely innocent.”

The building is used by community groups including the Hilltop nursery, the Women’s Institute, the bridge club, a stamp collectors’ club, an audio-visual club and a local historical society.

The groups should still be able to use the facilities, but the church’s insurance will not cover the cost of the repair. Mr Lodge said: “We are insured to a particular level, but we are going to have to find the money ourselves. I think because of the amount of lead theft there has been across the whole country – the insurance companies put a limit on it.”

Essex Police spokesman Alan Jones said: “It’s an appalling crime given the nature of the premises. It’s important we trace the people responsible.”

The theft happened between 8pm on Sunday, February 28, and 9am the following day. Anyone with information, should call PC Dean Rutter at Rochford police on 0300 3334444.