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Thieves steal Houghton Conquest church's lead roof | Thieves steal Houghton Conquest church's lead roof |
(35 minutes later) | |
"Audacious" thieves have stolen an entire lead roof from a Grade I-listed church. | "Audacious" thieves have stolen an entire lead roof from a Grade I-listed church. |
About 20 tonnes of lead was taken from All Saint's Church, Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire, over "a prolonged period of time", police said. | About 20 tonnes of lead was taken from All Saint's Church, Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire, over "a prolonged period of time", police said. |
The theft was discovered on Tuesday and police believe the thieves posed as tradesmen to gain access to the roof. | The theft was discovered on Tuesday and police believe the thieves posed as tradesmen to gain access to the roof. |
The church said the insurance would not cover all the repair costs - expected to reach tens of thousands of pounds. | |
Treasurer Joyce Bullock said: "I don't know how we are going to pay for it", adding: "I just pray everyday that nothing else happens." | |
The theft was uncovered on Tuesday when daylight could be seen through the ceiling and rubble was found on the ground. | |
Sarah Hannant, a member of the congregation, said: "This is devastating; it has caused a lot of stress. We don't have enough volunteers as it is, it just takes the wind out of your sails." | |
Churchwarden Margaret Tyler said the theft was "heartbreaking" but a wedding and their harvest festival service were still going ahead this weekend. | Churchwarden Margaret Tyler said the theft was "heartbreaking" but a wedding and their harvest festival service were still going ahead this weekend. |
Gary Mudd, who lives in the village said: "I feel stunned; the morals of the thieves are appalling." | Gary Mudd, who lives in the village said: "I feel stunned; the morals of the thieves are appalling." |
Insp Nick Masters said: "We suspect the people responsible may have been going backwards and forwards to the church for a prolonged period of time." | Insp Nick Masters said: "We suspect the people responsible may have been going backwards and forwards to the church for a prolonged period of time." |
He believes the thieves posed as tradesmen and drove trucks or vans, so they could transport scaffolding or ladders to the site to gain access to the roof. | He believes the thieves posed as tradesmen and drove trucks or vans, so they could transport scaffolding or ladders to the site to gain access to the roof. |
"This is an audacious incident and we're exploring a number of lines of inquiry to find out how this happened. Clearly this is unacceptable," he said. |