An old joke goes ‘At the wedding, the groom’s family sat on the right, while the bride’s family were up on the church roof nicking the lead.’  Not hilarious, and in respect of the recent metal thefts in our area, not that funny at all.

I was amazed to read recently that in Maidenhead and Windsor alone, this form of crime has risen by 75% in the last year. Local churches, businesses and the Heritage Centre have all been recent victims of this plundering and it appears that these new type of Heavy Metal fans are not just targeting commercial properties, but homes and even statues.  

Just over a year ago the bronze hippos were stolen from North Town Moor and last month the appalling theft and destruction of the Altwood schoolboys memorial from Ray Mill Island showed the depths to which these abhorrent would-be-alchemists will sink to make gold from others loss.

So are these metals such valuable assets? I’m not aware there’s a shortage that necessitates this form of blatant vandalism, but it’s been reported as the fastest growing crime in the UK.

It’s not going to be easy stopping thieves who are happy to risk their lives on the slippery roof of a church, at night, to steal some lead flashing, but something needs to done.  I’m not sure as to the worth of these metals, but I’m guessing it’s less than the victim’s replacement and repair costs and like my opening joke, that’s no laughing matter.