Lead thieves bring misery to Fartown church

THIEVES have heaped more misery on officials at a Huddersfield church.

They clambered on to the roof of Christ Church Woodhouse, in Sheepridge, and stripped lead off the roof.

And now parishioners – who have suffered several previous crimes – are anxiously waiting to see what damage has been caused.

Tiles have been removed from parts of the roof and they fear any heavy rain will cause damage inside the building, which dates back to 1828.

The theft is the latest problem for the church, which has previously suffered break-ins and a spate of vandal attacks which left valuable stained glass windows broken.

Builders are set to inspect the latest damage today before repairs can be made. Emergency sheeting already has been rigged up over the organ as it is immediately below one area stripped of lead.

Church council member Alan Danielson said: “It is very distressing. The damage was found on Monday but as yet we do not know the full extent.

“They have somehow managed to climb up to the highest point of the roof, removed some tiles and then taken off the lead, although in other parts they have left the lead there. Police think they may have been disturbed.

“We will be talking to the builders who are coming to do the repairs about finding an alternative. Many years ago when we had lead stolen, it was replaced by a plastic liner which is of no use to the thieves.