LARGE quantities of lead are being ripped from buildings in West Berkshire to feed the country’s lucrative scrap metal market.
Thieves are stealing metal from shops, schools and homes throughout the district in what has become an increasingly serious problem for police over the past few months.
Supt Chris Shead blamed the sharp rise in this type of crime on the soaring cost of scrap metal.
“In many cases large amounts of damage is being caused to the property when the metal is ripped off. This comes at a huge cost to the owners,” Supt Shead said.
Lead has been the metal of choice for the thieves in the majority of cases, he added.
Police say a quantity of lead was stolen from the roofs of two shops in Newbury’s Northbrook Street on October 16.
On October 18, St Paul’s Primary School in Tilehurst also had quantities of lead stolen and police have named six other incidents involving the theft of lead in the past month.
The force said it had arrested two men wanted in connection with the theft of lead from the YMCA building in London Road, Newbury.
The 24-year-old man was given an adult caution and the 17-year-old boy has been released on bail until November 14.
Supt Shead said that, if anyone saw people acting suspiciously while carrying out work on roof-tops, they should contact police immediately.
Police also want to speak to anyone who might have witnessed thieves stealing lead in any of the instances below:

*Between 6pm on Sunday 14 October and 5pm on Tuesday 16 October, a quantity of lead was stolen from a garage in Ferrier Grove, Newbury.
*Between October 17 and October 18, a quantity of lead was stolen from a porch at a property in Causmans Way, Tilehurst.
*On October 18, a quantity of lead was stolen from a garage in Hugh Fraser Drive, Calcot.
*Between 11am and 2.45pm on October 19, a quantity of lead was stolen from a property in Fairway Avenue, Tilehurst.
*Between 6pm on October 24 and 11am on October 25, a quantity of lead was stolen from a property in Woolley Park, Newbury.
*Between 11.30pm on October 26 and 9.30am on October 27, there was an attempt to steal lead from a property in Hollybush Lane, Burghfield Common.

Police are urging witnesses to come forward and contact them on 0845 8 505 505 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.