Metal thieves smash their way in to church
[gallery]A church in Bishop's Castle has been targeted by metal thieves who stole lead worth £2,000 and caused £8,000 worth of damage to its windows.
West Mercia Police say the incident at St John's Church is being linked to a lead theft from Bishop's Castle Community College which occurred at about the same time.
Officers say thieves got on to the church roof sometime between 9pm on September 12 and 11am on September 14.
They stole a large quantity of lead and smashed circular windows along the side of the building.
Alan Doust, headteacher at the community college, said they had discovered about £300 to £400 of lead missing from their roof on the morning of September 14.
Mr Doust said: "We had 50 metres of lead stolen from the roof.
"To replace the lead cost between £300 and £400 pounds although we have labour costs on top of that.
"The main thing is that the school is open and watertight."
Sarah Buxton at West Mercia Police, added: "Thieves have caused £8,000 worth of damage to round windows at the church trying to remove lead.
"They have also stolen £2,000 of lead from the church roof.
"It is believed that the incident is linked the theft of lead from the roof of Bishop's Castle Community College late last week."
Police are appealing for witnesses to both incidents. Contact West Mercia Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
