Gosberton vicar and top policeman sad over church lead thefts harm to heritage
Police have arrested four men on suspicion of conspiracy to steal following a spate of lead thefts from Lincolnshire churches.
Lincolnshire Police has a dedicated team of investigators making enquiries into the theft of lead from churches across Lincolnshire and beyond, during 2019 and January 2020.
It was revealed on Thursday morning that four men - aged 24, 28, 30 and 43 - have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to steal and released on bail while investigations continue.
Police have not named the churches linked to their investigation but one high profile victim last May was the parish church at Gosberton - hit twice in 48 hours, quickly followed by Bicker church.
Chief inspector Phil Vickers said: “It is believed that in total there were more than 40 offences committed in Lincolnshire where lead was stolen from rural churches during 2019, and though at this stage 16 of those are believed to be linked, it is anticipated that number may increase as the investigation progresses.
“During 2019 Lincolnshire Police worked with the Lincoln Diocese and individual church premises across the county, providing site-specific advice to 53 premises as well as broader guidance to prevent offending, in addition to several hundred site visits that had been carried out previously.
“The impact of these offences goes well beyond the significant financial cost. Communities have felt a great sense of loss at the damage caused to their heritage, and increased vulnerability due to the rural nature of many of the premises .
“We know that in addition to the loss of lead, extensive damage has been caused to the fabric of the buildings by water ingress during bad weather.
“We continue to work with rural communities to prevent offending, and encourage anyone seeing or hearing anything suspicious at heritage sites, particularly at night but also during the day, to contact police immediately.”
The Lady Chapel at Gosberton Church was the first to be hit in May, and its roof is still shrouded in plastic, while the south aisle has been re-roofed.
Month after month of rainwater getting into the church has stained the walls and damaged parquet wooden flooring.
Stone on the roof was damaged during the raids and rainwater has taken its toll on interior roof timbers known as hammer beams.
"At one stage, every storm brought something new," said the Vicar of Gosberton, the Rev Ian Walters.
The Lady Chapel is scheduled to be re-roofed soon.
Mr Walters, who has been in charge for the last 14 years, is upset for residents who have a life-long association with St Peter and St Paul's.
He said: "I feel sad because it's the historic centre of the village - the heart of the community - and it's like a memorial to past generations.
"There are so many names and stories carved in its stones and on the walls."
A sophisticated £8,000 camera and alarm system means the church is now monitored 24/7.
