Historic Red House hit by metal thieves

An historic Sandwell house has been hit by metal thieves stripping lead from its roof.

More than 30 tiles were dislodged from the roof of Red House, a Grade II listed Victorian mansion in Red House Park, Great Barr.

The building, was hit by graffiti in April. Bill Gunn, Friends of Red House Park chairman, said it was "mindless vandalism" and added: "Any empty property is vulnerable. The people doing this are not kids and they know what they are doing because the cost of lead is quite expensive.

"These people are after metal to sell and to be honest they don't care where they get it from." In November thieves took two fireplaces.

Red House was built in 1841 for Robert Scott, a Liberal MP for Walsall.

Its current leaseholder is the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (BTCV) which moved out of the property in March 2004.

The trust spent £200,000 on a refurbishment of the house 10 years ago and a further £4,000 last summer covering the outside with anti-graffiti paint.

Councillor Sadie Smith, who represents Great Barr for the Liberal Democrats, said: "I am disgusted by this theft. Red House is an extra special building.

"It has been left in a position where it is vulnerable and able to be vandalised.

"The council plans to dispose of this building but they have not said to whom it will go. It is the only council-owned building in Great Barr which could be used for community purposes in an area where we have a lack of facilities."

Councillor Bob Badham, Sandwell Council cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We are actively looking into the future of Red House.

"But the current economic decline makes the situation even more difficult."

The Friends want people to help with activities and say they should attend their meeting on Monday (6.45pm) in the training hut opposite the park entrance. For information call Bill Gunn on 0121 3582434.