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Security guards for lead theft church
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| Rev Dr Robert Tobin at St Mary and All Saints Church |
A BEACONSFIELD church has employed security guards after being targeted for the second time by lead thieves.
St Mary and All Saints Church in Windsor End, Beaconsfield, will have patrols at night after lead was stolen from its roof.
This follows the completion of a £300,000 restoration project which involved the re-leading of the church roof.
Rev Dr Robert Tobin, curate at the church, said: "It's obviously very upsetting for the town and for the church in particular that this has happened.
"The church has been raising money for a whole new roof and that project was completed late Spring. During the middle of the project it happened for the first time.
"It's discouraging that people have worked hard to take care of the building and put a lot of their own resources into it."
He added: "It's a shame a few involved have no regard for the community effort. They have been helping themselves to something a lot of people have worked hard for the larger good."
The piece of lead, measuring four square metres, was taken from the roof of the lady chapel between the evening of August 8 and morning of August 10.
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| The damaged church |
The same church was previously targeted by lead thieves on November 29 last year when lead sheeting was taken from the roof above the vestry.
Buildings across the country have been hit by an epidemic of metal thefts in recent years.
In June lead was stolen from the roof of a house in Bourne End. Four men were spotted propping a ladder against the house in New Road.
Other areas targeted by lead thefts this summer included properties in Baines Walk, Chesham, and Rickmansworth Lane, Chalfont St Peter.
In March thieves stole £10,000 worth of metal from the site of the Thame Showground in Kingsey Road, Thame.
Edward Weiss, chairman of the building committee at St Mary and All Saint's Church, described the theft as absolutely maddening'.
He said: "We now have security guards to prevent this sort of thing happening again.
"They will be here for as long as necessary. After the second time we have got no option but to do it."
Mr Weiss added: "Almost every church in Bucks has had the same experience. It is extremely difficult to prevent this sort of theft."
An insurance company is currently assessing the damage, he added.
If you have any information about the theft contact PCSO Paul Littlehales on 08458 505 505.
2:21pm Wednesday 20th August 2008
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