Lead theft ruins roof

A business is counting the cost after thieves stripped lead from its roof.

The lead taken from Kelly’s Snack Bar on Earp Avenue, Newark, will cost more than £4,000 to replace.

The lead flashing that was stolen ran the length of the shop and was 4ft wide.

Heavy rain that followed the theft meant there was internal damage to walls, which had to be replastered and redecorated.

The cost of replacing the lead has been estimated at £4,320 and it will cost a further £1,000 to repair the internal damage.

The business owner, Mrs Michelle Woodruff, said she was devastated and hoped the thieves would be caught.

Nottinghamshire Police are investigating the theft.

A spokesman said lead theft was not as big a problem as it was nine months ago when it fetched a higher price, and church roofs were being stripped.

“Metal theft is a regular occurrence and is defined by the markets with different metals fetching different prices at different times,” said the spokesman.

“At the moment it does not appear that lead is a target metal.

“However, this lady has suffered a theft that has consequences for her business and has cost her a great deal of money.”

Anyone with information about the theft should contact Newark Police on 0300 300 99 99.