Theft From Evesham Town Centre Church

Officers investigating the theft of lead from the roof of a church in the centre of Evesham are appealing for witnesses.

Ten sheets of lead were taken from the Church of All Saints in Market Place between 5pm yesterday (Tuesday, 20 March) and just before 10.45am today (Wednesday, 21 March).

Thieves broke the lock on the church gates in order to get onto the site and once on the roof, cut the large sheets off and threw them to the ground below.

PC Bruce Powell from Evesham police station said: "This is an appalling theft from a community building, which has only just had the roof replaced following a previous theft.

"The thieves will probably only get around £500 for what they have taken, but it will cost the church over £6,000 to replace the large amount of lead stolen.

"We know from the scene that whoever is responsible for carrying out this crime would have used a vehicle. I would appeal to anyone who was in the area around the time of the theft and saw any vans or trucks parked at the church - or anyone on the roof - to contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information about this incident can call PC Powell on 0300 333 3000, quoting 51N 210312 or contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Issued: Wednesday, 21 March 2012