Lead thefts floods Bath

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward as they, and scrap dealers, say the number of raids is on the up due to the high value of lead and copper at the moment.

The Station Road baths is the latest target, with crooks stealing around £10,000 worth of lead from the roof.

Staff were not aware until rainwater began pouring in through the ceiling.

Earlier this month, the iconic Lytham Windmill had lead flashing removed from the base of the mill.

And last week, raiders stole a copper boiler from the back garden of a house in Fairhaven.

Fylde scrap metal dealers say thieves have stolen metal they had been due to pick up, leaving them out of pocket.

Others say people are turning up at their business premises in taxis with scrap that has obviously been stolen.

Insp Mark Hindle, from Blackpool Police, said: “It depends on how much scrap metal is worth.

“I would assume it’s at a high price now.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following the theft at the swimming pool on Thursday.

It is the second time crooks have struck at the baths with “2,000 of metal being taken last month..

Dave Lean, leisure director for Fylde Coast YMCA, which runs the pool, said: “It’s frustrating to have the lead stolen when we’re trying to provide leisure facilities for the local community.”

Mayor of Fylde, Kirkham Independent councillor Liz Oades, said: “I think it is despicable that these people just help themselves to lead and cause so much damage.

“It’s not just the theft of the lead but the damage caused after by rainwater.”

She added; “Fortunately we are insured. But these people are horrible. It’s appalling. These are the people that don’t put anything into society and just take out.”

Another Kirkham Independent councillor Elaine Silverwood added: “Sadly there has been a huge increase of lead thefts, not just in Kirkham.”