Thefts prompt insurance hike for church
Richard ParrInsurance premiums may increase for a Norfolk village church after thieves stripped a large quantity of lead from its roof.It is the third theft of lead from St Mary's Chruch at Gressenhall, near Dereham.Richard Parr
Insurance premiums may increase for a Norfolk village church after thieves stripped a large quantity of lead from its roof.
It is the third theft of lead from St Mary's Chruch at Gressenhall, near Dereham. Previously thieves have taken lead from the porch roof.
The raid happened between Sunday, March 14, and the next morning . It follows a similar incident earlier this month when about 40sq m of roofing lead, worth around �15,000, was taken from the roof at All Saints Church at Swanton Morley, near Dereham.
The churches are two of a string across Norfolk to be targeted by thieves with churches at Walsingham, Dersingham, Hunstanton and Wells among those being struck in recent months.
You may also want to watch:
Deputy churchwarden at St Mary's Church at Gressenhall, Tim Waterfield, said the lead has been taken from the north and south aisle roofs and it was now temporarily covered to keep the rain water from getting into the building. Previously, in two separate thefts, a smaller quantity of leading was taken from the porch roof.
Mr Waterfield said that it was almost certain that the insurance premium for St Mary's Church would be increased and this money will have to be found through more fund-raising.
Most Read
- 1 Town thrilled by crafters' dazzling knitted creations
- 2 Staff shortages force closure of pharmacy
- 3 'Is this a wind up?' - Artist's shock as Delia buys 101 of his paintings
- 4 Beauty giveaway and Euro 2020 help sees £20,000 raised for Logan's surgery
- 5 Full steam ahead for track renewal work on railway
- 6 'Very emotional' - Joy as town's social centre reopens
- 7 Hunt for man in connection with drug dealing
- 8 Church with 'features to get excited about' for sale for £80,000
- 9 'Vindicated at last' - Pension compensation on the horizon for WASPI women
- 10 Heavy rain and thunder set to continue with weather warnings in place
'It may well be that we will have to look at an alternative material instead of lead for the roof and a material that is not worth stealing. It really is very annoying,' he said.
