News 'Team of thieves' rip lead from church roof
The damaged roof at St James church in Rawcliffe. (15-02-30 SU)
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Substantial damage has been caused to St James' church in Rawcliffe after thieves climbed onto the vestry roof and stripped it of lead, allowing water to pour into the church and cause damage to the furniture inside.
The church was first attacked two weeks ago when one-and-a-half original lead down-gutter spouts were stolen.
However, last Thursday night the thieves returned to the church and took the remaining three-and-a-half gutter spouts. They then climbed onto the vestry roof, which is opposite the Costcutter store, and stripped lead off half the roof. This allowed rain to penetrate the roof and get inside the church building.
The two incidents have been reported to police. It is also believed that two other properties in the village green area have been attacked recently and lead stolen.
Possibly the same night saw thieves strip lead from Snaith Priory church roof. Once again water poured into the church and has damaged the church organ.
Speaking to the Goole Times this week, Rawcliffe vicar the Rev Geoff Hollingsworth said: "This is a large area which has been stripped of lead - 20ft by 15ft. This amount of lead would have been very heavy and would have taken a team of people a considerable time to remove. They would have also needed transport.
"I am appealing for anyone who witnessed anything suspicious in the area surrounding the church on Thursday night to contact the police.
"I am fearing that the thieves will return for the lead still left on half of the roof, so I am appealing to residents who live in Rawcliffe and overlook the church to be vigilant.
"I am currently in the process of getting estimates for the repair work and hopefully the church's insurance will cover it but I fear that the amount of money involved could be in excess of the policy.
"This is a terrible thing to have happened. It is an attack on the people of Rawcliffe. They have just raised thousands of pounds to repair the spire and now this happens."
Published on 15th February 2007 in News.
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