Red alert over lead thefts

7:37am Friday 9th May 2008

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PROPERTY owners have been put on red alert after schools and health centres were targeted in a spate of lead thefts.

Over the bank holiday weekend, thousands of pounds worth of metal was stripped from the roofs of Calmore Junior and Infant Schools, Testwood School in Totton and Norwood Primary School in Eastleigh.

Thieves also stole lead window lining at BlackfieldHealth Centre in Hampton Lane. Forest Side Health Centre in Dibden Purlieu has also been targeted this year.

Although the crimes have not been linked, police have urged residents to take precautions.

A spokesman said: "Certainly over the last few days, we have noticed an increase.

"It is something that we do seem to see more and more as the cost of lead goes up.

"We would like to warn people that this is happening and where possible they should take precautions and lock any scrap metal in secure containers."

It is the second time this year that the Blackfield Health Centre has been targeted - in January the same windows on the administrative side of the building were stripped.

Assistant practice manager Jackie Kemish said: "We would rather spend our money on patients than replacing lead. We are being targeted and are having to install CCTV cameras."

Jordan Thery, manager of Southampton scrap metal merchant TGMetal Co, said that the price of lead had rocketed from £160 a tonne five years ago to £800 for the same weight today.

He added that merchants in the city were clamping down on suspected thieves and that a new system of "smart water", which identifies where lead has come from, looks set to be introduced in the near future.

He said: "The people stealing it are so stupid.We don't want to buy it and if we don't buy it then it kills the problem."

Anyone with information should call police on 0845 045 4545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.