Thieves strip roof again (From Witney Gazette)

Thieves strip roof again

4:06pm Thursday 18th September 2008 in Witney By Matt Wilkinson

Thieves stripped lead from the roof of a listed building — just days after the owner had repaired the holes left behind from a previous theft.

Patrick Neale, of Jaffe & Neale Bookshop and Cafe, in Chipping Norton, fears thieves are watching buildings in the town on the lookout for easy pickings.

'I should be selling books, not having to repair a perfectly good roof' Patrick Neale The 43-year-old paid £3,000 for new lead flashing earlier this month after his was stolen in May.

But just five days later thieves returned and stripped the roof of the replacement lead.

Mr Neale said: "I am not going to put up any more lead any more. I'm not prepared to be laughed at a third time.

"The cost is irritating, but so is the time it takes to replace the lead because it distracts me from running the business.

"I should be selling books, not having to repair a perfectly good roof.

"We are talking to the listed building people, who are very understanding, because one of the conditions on the building is to have lead on the roof. But we can't keep putting lead up again and again for the thieves to steal."

His roof theft was one of three in Chipping Norton over one weekend.

Thieves also attempted to steal lead from the roof of the adjacent Bitter & Twisted public house.

Two men were spotted unloading lead from a wheelie bin into a car at the New Street car park the next morning.

Pc Steve Thompson, of Chipping Norton police, said: "It would be really helpful if anyone with information came forward and got in touch."

Lead and metal thefts have soared in the past year as the price of scrap has more than doubled in the past 18 months.

Anyone with information should call police on 08458 505505 or speak anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.