Yet more damage caused by Dorchester lead thieves

Area controller Robert Rawlings hit out at the raiders for causing damage to the Wessex Water building at Forston.

He joined police in appealing for witnesses and information following the theft at the unmanned site.

It comes after lead was stolen in a series of raids on churches, premises and homes over the past month in the Dorchester area.

Mr Rawlings, who is South Somerset and West Dorset area controller, said: “They climbed over the gate and on to the roof.

“They stripped the roof and did quite a considerable amount of damage to the roof.

“It is the first one I’ve seen this year although we have had quite a lot in the past.”

He added: “Anybody who has got information or saw anything suspicious in the area should contact the police.

“We want to stop these crimes from happening.”

There is security inside the water treatment plant but the thieves climbed fences and on to the roof.

They removed brickwork and took lead from underneath, causing more damage.

Staff inspected the roof after spotting water staining down the sides of the building.

They reported the theft to the police on Wednesday morning, June 9.

Now workmen have fitted a temporary, water tight covering. Mr Rawlings is also due to receive quotes on how much the damage is going to cost to repair. He added that the new roof would not be made of lead.

Lead has been stolen recently from the Grade I listed St Nicholas’s Church in Sydling St Nicholas and a building site at Little Britain, Dorchester.

Two 20ft-long strips of the metal have been taken from the top of the vestry of the 13th-century St Mary’s Church in Piddlehinton.

Lead was also stolen from the roof of a porch at a home in Highdown Avenue in Poundbury, Dorchester The Poundbury Gardening Society’s shed was also targeted by thieves.

Insp Les Fry said that the theft had been reported and that there had been extensive damage.

Witnesses and anyone with information is urged to call the police on 01305 222222.