Thieves damage doll shop for £5 of lead

The New Year’s Eve robbery at Dolls Houses Are Us on Waterloo Road, which netted the criminals just £5 of lead, caused the roof to weaken and water to pour through the ceiling.

Now devastated owner Darren Thickett, 41, has been forced to move his business two doors down - and says the ‘mindless thievery’ has cost him more than £5,000.

He said: “When they took the lead they broke the seal on the roof and with all the rain, all the water travelled straight through into the insulation until it just collapsed.

“There’s wet patches and dripping all over. I’ve had to close the shop because it’s a health and safety hazard.

“It’s costing me £3,000 to relocate the business and another £2,000 to repair the damage.

“Luckily my landlord has been very understanding. Without them I would have packed up and left altogether.

“It’s so demoralising. It’s just horrendous that somebody thinks they have the right to go up there and cause so much damage for just £5 worth of lead.”

A police spokesman said: “We were contacted on January 7 about three yards of lead flashing stolen from a roof. It is believed the crime took place between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve. The crime is under investigation but we currently have no suspects.”

People with information are asked to call police on 101 quoting the reference number WA1600294.