Church is hit twice in three days by metal thieves

Thieves took five sheets of lead from the dome roof at Lytham Methodist Church, on Park Street, leaving the Grade II listed building looking “a mess” according to church bosses. Around 25 square feet of the leading was taken in two incidents within just 48 hours.

The first happened some time on Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and the second some time on Friday morning.

It has caused “outrage” in the church congregation and left the wooden panelling shaping the dome exposed to a heavy downpour over the weekend, adding to the cost of a repair bill, which also includes replacing a security system.

Rev Adrian Burdon said: “We’re very angry about it. It’s going to be a major expense. We’re committed to replacing it because it’s a Grade II listed building in a conservation 
area. It’ll be around £5,000. It’s alot of money and a lot of hassle. It’s a huge lump that’s gone, about five sheets that were about 5ft square each.” The Reverend said the church team had contacted police and their insurance company on Wednesday over the first theft.

They were left “extremely irritated” when they arrived at the church on Friday morning to find they had been targeted a second time.

Lancashire Police has 
confirmed it is investigating two incidents of metal theft from the church. The lead had been specially marked, making it easier to identify.

A police spokesman said: “If anybody has any information about either incident they are urged to call police on 101.”

Rev Burdon said: “We’ll have to dip into our reserves and have some help from the Methodist insurance company. We’ve to replace our alarm systems, too.”