Church suffers water damage after lead theft
Published on Tue 3 Jun 2008
The vicar of Snaith Priory, Canon Cyril Roberts has said he is saddened by the latest in a spate of lead thefts, which has seen the historic building raided five times in 18 months. Canon Roberts first noticed the lead flashings and guttering had been stripped from the Grade I listed building when rain poured in to the vestry, flooding the floor earlier.
In their efforts to remove the metal, thieves damaged the stainless steel roof, hacked into masonry and peeled back the lead on three 150-year-old windows, leaving the building exposed to the elements. Canon Roberts said, "The money the thieves will get for the lead is just a pittance compared with the cost of putting things right. For a few pounds they have probably done about £15,000 to £20,000 worth of damage."
