Metal thieves strike 18 times in a month

Metal thieves have struck 18 times at homes and schools in Wolverhampton in less than a month, ripping out mains cables, copper piping and lead flashing.

Three schools, a bingo hall and 14 homes have been targeted during the spate, which saw raids at properties in four separate streets in one night.

Police today revealed the surge in metal thefts across the city since January 18.

More than half of the thefts were committed in the last week.

Lead was taken from the windows of a home in Willis Pearson Avenue, Bradley and an address in Bagnall Road, Springvale overnight on February 11. Thieves struck at other homes in the same streets on February 12 and 13.

Properties in Brynmawr Road, Lanesfield, and Woodhouse Road North, Compton, were also targeted on February 11.

Around 100ft of mains cable was taken from St Patrick's Primary School in Graiseley Lane, Wednesfield, over the weekend while lead was stripped from the roof at Villiers Primary, in Prouds Lane, Stowlawn earlier this month.

Wolverhampton Music School, in Graiseley Hill, also reported theft of lead from the roof last month and there was a raid at Gala Bingo in Lichfield Road, Wednesfield, between February 4 and 8 when thieves escaped with copper wiring. Homes in Whitmore Reans, Tettenhall and Heath Town have also been hit.

St Patrick's Primary bosses said thieves had stolen a cable belonging to builders who are creating a new front entrance and damaged a cable on the roof, leaving the school with no internet connection.

"It's very disruptive. Teachers plan to use the internet in their lessons and have to download things. They are now having to adapt their lessons," school bursar Louise Clive said.

Officers are visiting scrap dealers across the city as they investigate. Anyone with information should call 0345 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The timetable of thefts

* January 18 — Wolverhampton Music School, Graiseley Hill; lead from roof.

* January 23-25 — Prestwood Road, Heath Town; lead from roof.

* January 27 — Court Road, Tettenhall; lead piping.

* February 1 — Villiers Primary, Prouds Lane, Stowlawn; lead from roof.

* February 1 — Robert Wynd, Woodcross; lead from roof.

* February 2 — Belle Vue Street, Woodcross; flashing.

* February 3 — Stom Road, Springvale; lead from porch.

* February 4 — Craddock Street, Whitmore Reans; lead from roof.

* February 4-8 — Gala Bingo, Lichfield Road, Wednesfield; copper wiring.

* February 11 - Willis Pearson Avenue, Bradley; lead from windows.

* February 11 — Bagnall Road, Springvale; lead from roof.

* February 11 — Brynmawr Road, Woodcross; lead from windows.

* February 11 — Woodhouse Road North, Compton; lead from roof.

* February 11-14 — St Patrick's Primary, Graiseley Lane, Wednesfield; cable.

* February 12 — Willis Pearson Avenue, Bradley; lead from windows.

* February 13 — Bagnall Road, Springvale; lead from windows.

* February 13 — Lawley Road, Springvale; lead from windows.

* February 14 — Stirling Road, Bradley; lead from windows.