Brazen lead thieves target town centre

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THIEVES have ripped lead from roofs across East Grinstead in daring night time raids.

The criminals scaled several town centre buildings intent on stealing the metal.

East Court Mansion, the Royal Mail delivery office, an office block and a property in Wood Street were all targeted.

On August 10 around 40m of lead was stolen from the roof of the Royal Mail delivery office in London Road.

An office block in the same road was targeted between August 6 and 11.

The lead flashing from the roof of a property in Wood Street was taken over several nights from Sunday, August 15.

The Grade II listed East Court Mansion has been left exposed to the elements after a 75m length of lead was ripped from its parapet.

Thieves struck overnight between Wednesday and Thursday last week.

"It was a hugely dangerous operation," said town council clerk Chris Rolley.

"It must have taken them some time.

"The building has been left exposed. Parts of the parapet are technically vulnerable to the elements."

He added: "It is very, very disappointing and irritating."

The town council is working quickly to cover the exposed wood but its amenities manager Keith Astley believes the work will require costly scaffolding.

"Where it is you can only access it safely from full scaffolding," said Mr Astley, who believes the parapet is an original part of the historic building from the late 1700s.

The town council is currently getting quotes for the work.

A spokesman from Universal Metals Ltd, a metal scrap merchants in Rowfant, said the price of scrap lead has risen over the past couple of years from "a couple of hundred" to £1,000 a ton.

Sussex Police is appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about the lead thefts to contact them on 0845 6070999.

Alternatively contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.