Thieves Target East Yorkshire Church Leaving It Damaged

St Peter’s Church in Wawne was targeted overnight Friday 27 to Saturday 28 September. 

Thieves removed the lead from the roof causing damage and theft worth thousands of pounds.

Community Inspector Phil Hinch has said;

“This is the fifth theft of church roof lead in the East Riding in the past 10 days.  We are investigating all of these incidents as well as the theft lead from the roof of a bank in Driffield reported to us on 9 September.

“It is particularly disheartening to hear of people targeting churches as the impact on the local village communities is huge.

“This is a significant amount of lead and the five churches targeted have all suffered from damage to the roofs that will now have to be repaired as well as the replacement of the roof covering.

“I would appeal for anyone who has any information about these recent thefts to contact us so that we can identify those responsible and bring them to justice.

“I also want to ask for the communities in towns and villages across the East Riding to be extra vigilant and to keep an eye out for anyone acting suspiciously.  If you do see something call us immediately on 999 so that we can respond and catch them in the act. 

“The thieves must have used a large truck to take the lead away and they must have been there for some time. If anyone sees people working on a church roof contact us so that we can check that they are legitimate workers.

“If anyone, such as scrap merchants is offered a large quantity of lead please get in touch with us so we can add this to our lines of enquiries.

“The other four reported offences have been committed between Sunday, August 25 and Tuesday, September 24, targeting churches in Langtoft, Hutton Cranswick, Lockington and Sigglesthorne.”

If you have any information you believe could assist us, please contact Beverley CID via our non-emergency 101 line, quoting incident number 16/108808/19.