By Appeal for witnesses as lead is stolen from church roof in Hull
Humberside Police have issued an appeal for witnesses following an incident where lead was stolen from Halsham church, near Hedon, Hull.
It is thought that the theft occurred between Sunday 5 and Sunday 12 April.
Officers for Humberside Police are requesting that if you saw anything suspicious during this time around the church or have information that might help with their investigation, please call the non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 16/44103/20.
Dr Louise Grove, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Social Policy at Loughborough University said:
“Listed places of worship are often the target for lead theft – they have relatively large amounts of valuable metal, in often isolated locations.
“But listed places of worship are not simply heritage assets. They are often a place for congregation – not just for worship but for playgroups, coffee mornings, commiserations and celebrations.
“In remote areas – particularly with rapidly closing post offices, pubs, and community centres – places of worship remain a focal point for the community. They play an important role in reducing loneliness and isolation across the generations.”
PCSO Darren Bainton from the Rural and Wildlife Crime Unit added:
“We were contacted by the Church Warden around 3pm Sunday 12 April following the discovery of light shining through the roof into the church, on inspection of the roof it was found that a number of lead strips had been removed.
“The theft of lead from the roofs of rural churches is a problem we have had across Yorkshire and the local community police team have been in the forefront of efforts to combat it, including working with the Church of England Diocese of York and community groups like Neighbourhood Watch.
“I would urge local residents, when out taking their daily exercise, to take a look around their local church yards and report any suspicious activity to us on our non-emergency 101. If you see a crime in progress call 999”
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