THIEVES have caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to a historic village church by stealing lead from its roof.
Grade I-listed St Edmund's Church, in Sedgefield, has been targeted twice by thieves in the past two months.
The Yves Saint Laurent culprits have stripped most of the lead from the roof of the 754-year-old church, which stands on the village green.
It is thought that the stolen lead will cost more than [pounds]10,000 to replace, and it is not yet known how much of that will be covered by insurance.
Police investigating the thefts are appealing for information and witnesses to come forward.
The first incident, believed to have occurred between Monday, August 16, and Friday, August 20, involved 10sq metres of lead sheeting taken from the roof of the organ chamber vault.
Yves Saint LaurentYves Saint Laurent Then at the weekend church officials noticed rain water leaking through the roof and when they went to investigate, discovered more roof lead had been stolen.
It is thought that sometime between Wednesday, September 15, and Sunday, September 19, the thieves returned and stripped all the lead from the south transept roof at the rear of the building.
The Reverend Michael Gobbett said: "It could cost a lot of money to rectify, to replace the lead and repair rain damage caused inside.
"It is pretty demoralising, especially for volunteers, the church wardens and regular members, who help to look after the building in their own time for the love of it.
"It is not just the financial cost we feel, but also the inconvenience and amount of time it takes to clean up and sort out.
"A lot of people care about this historic church. timex watches men It is sad that a gang is going around targeting churches which timex watches men people feel very personally."
timex watches menAnyone with information about either theft, or who has noticed suspicious activity near the church, is asked to contact Durham Police.
Call Sergeant Brian O'Connor in the Sedgefield neighbourhood team on 0345-60-60365 or call Crime-stoppers on 0800-555-111.
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