Thieves strike at church
Services have continued at a village church despite lead being stripped from its roof.
Thieves struck at All Saints’ Church, Barnby-in-the-Willows.
The number of thefts of lead from churches fell in the second half of last year as the price of scrap metal plummeted.
The price per tonne of scrap lead, according to the London Metal Exchange, is now £611, down from the £2,400 it was worth 18 months ago.
In the Southwell and Nottingham Diocese lead thefts from church roofs were running at five or six a week, leading to hefty repair bills.
Canon Tony Tucker, the Vicar of Balderton and Barnby-in-the-Willows, said: “It was quite a surprise to me, particularly with the decreasing price for scrap lead, that these thieves were so bold as to risk their personal freedoms for such effort and such a paltry sum.”
He said a white Ford Transit van was seen parked next to the church but it was assumed it was owned by dog walkers.
Mr Tucker urged people to report any suspicions to police and let them investigate.
He said the part of the roof from which the lead was taken was now covered to protect the church from the elements.
The theft was discovered on December 23.
Mr Tucker they were waiting for surveyors to assess how much was taken and what the bill would be to repair damaged flashings and stone work.
Mr Tucker said the church was one of the mainstays of village life for Barnby’s 244 residents.
He said thieves who assumed their crimes were simply covered by insurance and that no one was left out of pocket were misguided.
He said clauses had been added into some insurance policies meaning churches could claim just once against such a theft.
If there was a second theft money had to be found from within the church community and everyone’s insurance premiums went up as a result of payouts.
“It leads to levels of complete exasperation,” said Mr Tucker.
“It is so dispiriting for people who are volunteers within their communities whose aim is to keep an eye on the village church and keep it top-notch.”
