Thieves strip metal from hall

It took the members of Albrighton Methodist Church 12 years to raise the £290,000 needed to revamp their hall – and metal thieves just hours to damage it.

The venue has been vandalised and lead stripped from the church in the latest metal raid in the region. Police believe the theft took place sometime between March 20 and 30 and church members said today they were disappointed and disheartened by the attack. Senior steward Val Connacher said lead had been stolen from the roof and the windows.

Thieves had also tried to strip it from the new entrance to the hall at the High Street church.

The 63-year-old retired teacher said the hall, which is home to a number of clubs, had its grand re-opening in June after more than a decade of fundraising.

Mrs Connacher said: "We noticed it after the morning service on Sunday and most of the congregation don't know yet.

"We are just really, really disappointed, especially as this project was only completed in June. We are disheartened that something like this had to happen – it is an inconvenience and then there is the extra cost."

She added the church would not know the cost of the theft until a builder had visited to assess the damage.

Councillor David Beechey said the problem was spreading across not just the region but the country.

He said: "We are very concerned about it. It is a problem for these types of buildings and the price of lead continues to rise. It is very disappointing."

Constable Mark Hobden, from West Mercia Police, said there had been a number of metal thefts in Shropshire in recent weeks.

Police also revealed today lead has been been stolen from the roof of the Senior Citizens' Club in Shifnal and St Bartholomew's Church in Tong. A man has been arrested on suspicion of theft and released on bail pending further inquiries.

He said thieves often dressed as workmen to avoid suspicion and asked anyone who saw anything in Albrighton to get in touch.

Anyone with information can call West Mercia Police on 08457 444 888 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

West Mercia Constabulary's Project Livewire has seen more than 80 people arrested in connection with metal theft since last year.