Metal thieves target churches

A clergyman has hit out at metal thieves who are damaging some of the region's most beautiful churches.

The Archdeacon of Worcester, the Rev Roger Morris today appealed for church members to remain vigilant .

It follows the theft of lead from churches in Wolverley and Chaddesley Corbett which bosses say will costs thousands to repair and replace.

Lead worth around £5,000 was stolen from vestry roofs at St John the Baptist church, in Wolverley, Kidderminster last week.

And lead valued at £500 was taken from St Cassian's Church, in Chaddesley Corbett.

Police believe the two thefts are linked and have issued an appeal for information.

Mr Morris said: "In situations like these, the thieves get a fraction of the cost for scrap and yet they're causing significant damage to some of the nation's most beautiful and sacred buildings.

"Fortunately, such thefts have been less frequent in recent months as the price of lead has fallen.

"However, parishes still need to be vigilant and any suspicious activity should be reported to the police immediately."

Both thefts were discovered after heavy rain caused more damage to the roofs as water soaked through holes.

The Rev Geoffrey Shilvock, who has been in charge for 25-years at St Johns Church, said it has been targeted by lead thefts four times over the last two years.

He added around £2,000 of lead had been stolen in three previous attacks on the 237-year-old building.

The Rev John Cox, of St Cassian's Church, said theft at the 16th century church was only discovered because of rain showers. Both vicars said lead at the churches had been covered in SmartWater which is a liquid containing a code which can be read under ultraviolet light.

Police say both thefts happened between October 1-7.

Anyone with information about these thefts can call Kidderminster police on 0300 333 3000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.