Thieves strip lead from Norman church FOURTEEN times

But now a parish church in a quiet Derbyshire village has come under attack from a ruthless gang of thieves who have stripped its lead roof to meet soaring demand for scrap metal in China.

Organised gangs have targeted the imposing 12th century church a total of 14 times over the past 10 months, tearing off large strips of metal and flashing.

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Experts say the raids at St Lawrence's Church are directly related to a boom in metal prices, driven by rapid growth in Asian economies.

In desperation, the Reverend David Hull has mounted CCTV cameras, 24-hour outdoor lighting and marked the roof with special paint to deter thieves.

But they have returned almost nightly to the church in Whitwell with special equipment to remove the roofing causing over £35,000 worth of damage since May 2007.

Now the reverend has offered to resign, saying he feels powerless to stop the gangs who last struck in the early hours of the morning yesterday.

He said: "This is a very ancient church and it is considered a beautiful and an important building.

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"Compared to other churches, it has a excessive amount of lead roofing that that's why we have been hit 14 times.

"We have done everything we can to stop them but still they come back. They are causing extensive damage inside the church as well because the water is leaking through after they removed the lead flashing.

"Police believe that the lead is being taken from the roof to sell abroad for high prices due to the lack of lead in China.

"When they hit so many times, you begin to take it personally. It is causing an awful lot of hurt to the congregation and me as the priest.

"I have offered to resign as priest in charge of this beautiful church, but the congregation has refused to accept it.

"So far we have not had to close the church, but if this continues that may change."

Insurers believe that six churches a day are being plundered by gangs in the UK who sell the lead on to China.

More than 2,300 claims for damage to churches have been lodged with insurers amounting to £9million over the past 12 months.

That compares to just 80 claims in 2005 involving a total of £330,000.

Lead roofing is the usual plunder but statues, church bells and copper lightning conductors are also being taken.

Experts believe that one church in eight has been affected, with rural areas most commonly targeted because there are likely to be fewer witnesses around.

But city churches are being hit, too - some London dioceses are seeing six raids a month, according to Ecclesiastical Insurance, which covers 95 per cent of Anglican churches.

Spokesman for the insurer Chris Pitt said: "This is one of the worst examples, if not the worst metal theft we have seen.

"The future of our churches is at stake.

"Metal theft is becoming all too common at churches around the country.

"The demand for metals is worldwide and because of the volume that is being taken we have to assume that the majority of it is going abroad. Prices have shot up."

Lead was originally used in church roofs because it is very water resistant, particularly in exposed conditions.

It is still used today despite the expense because heritage organisations insist like must be replaced with like.

Police believe the gangs use pulling equipment to wrench lead roofs and metal fittings off the churches and drive their haul away in trucks.

Often they will return to target the same churches after they have been restored.

But members of the public often fail to report the crimes because they think repair work is being carried out.

Ecclesiastical Insurance is now supplying churches with a special chemical marker, called SmartWater, which is daubed on metal. Each batch is unique and allows recovered metal to be traced back to its owners.

A Church of England spokesman said: "This is a trend that we are very concerned about. It is a problem being felt by churches around the country."