25
Jul
2014
By Calvin at 11:35 GMT, 9 years ago
Our friends in Hertfordshire Police are appealing for witnesses and information after seven thefts of lead from the roofs of buildings in Harpenden. Three of these incidents involved church buildings and are therefore classed as heritage crimes.
The incidents, which have taken place during July, have resulted in the lead flashing being stolen from the roofs of each building.
Details of the thefts from commercial properties are as follows:
Between June 11 and July 10, lead was stolen from the roof of Sainsbury’s on Bower’s. The crime reference number for this incident is F2/14/985.
On Sunday, July 6 between 2.50am and 3.10am lead was stolen from the roof of Harpenden Interiors, in the High Street. The crime number for this incident is F2/14/1046.
Between July 10 and July 17, lead was stolen from the roof of Auriga, on Thompson Close, Harpenden. The crime number for this incident is F2/14/1015.
Between Sunday, July 6 and Friday, July 18, lead was stolen from the roof of Legends Hair and Beauty Salon, in the High Street. The crime number for this incident is F2/14/1047.
Details of the heritage crimes are as follows:
Between midday on Thursday, June 26 and 8am on Friday, June 27 and between 5pm on Sunday, June 29 and 8am on Monday, June 30 respectively, lead was stolen from the roof of the United Reform Church in Vaughan Road. The crime numbers for these incidents are F2/14/906 and F2/14/923.
Between July 10 and July 17, lead was stolen from the roof of Harpenden Methodist Church on the High Street.
Heritage crime is any offence which targets our historic environment - such as famous natural landmarks, cathedrals and ancient battle fields - and cultural property - such as pieces of art, jade and rhino horn. Heritage crime covers a wide variety of criminal activity which can damage assets forever. This can include architectural theft, anti-social behaviour, criminal damage, unauthorised excavation and metal detecting, damage caused by vehicles, metal theft or theft of historical and cultural property.
Investigating officer PC Tom Fisher, said: “There has been a recent spate of the thefts of lead from buildings and we are currently following a line of enquiry that these incidents are linked.
“To tackle these incidents we are stepping up patrols in the area. I am also appealing to anyone who was in the area of where these crimes took place and witnessed anyone acting suspiciously to please get in touch as soon as possible.”
He added: “To make lead on the roofs of buildings more secure and less appealing to thieves, I would recommend that owners consider crime prevention methods such as spray painting the postcode of the property onto the lead, using anti climb paint or purchasing sensor alarms that alert owner’s mobiles when movement is detected on the rooftops.”
If you have any information about these crimes please contact Hertfordshire Police or Crimestoppers if you would rather remain anonymous.
TCPW Comment: You can also stamp the metal to make it more identifiable and if you’re looking for alarm protection you should visit our Directory
Source Hertfordshire Constabulary: https://www.herts.police.uk/hertfordshire_constabulary/latest_news/news_articles/230714_-_0586.aspx
