Hall committee throws in towel to thieves

The latest incident at Hampstead Norreys hall was said to be the final straw.
Some time between Friday, February 24 and Sunday, February 26, lead was stolen from the hall windows and chairwoman of the village hall management committee, Tonia Oliver, said: “Sadly, we can’t go on like this.”
She revealed that metal thieves have targeted the hall - a large, two-storey building with a balcony overlooking the cricket pitch, built in 1988 - several times in the past five years and twice in the last four months.
Mrs Oliver said: “The quote for the latest lot of damage is £3,500. Lead theft has cost us many thousands over the years. Thieves have ripped off the lead flashing several times.
“This lataest incident involved the windows. There are five of them at the back, with large recesses and all lined with lead. Three of them have been demolished. They only managed to rip a little bit of metal from each one - it can’t be worth very much to them - but the cost to repair the damage is enormous.”
The hall management committee has now reluctantly decided against replacing the lead in future.
Mrs Oliver said: “It’s sad, but enough is enough. Lead looks good but it’s just not worth it anymore. We’re replacing it with reinforced PVC which will look dreadful but at least it won’t be of any value to anyone.”
She blamed unscrupulous scrap dealers for encouraging the black market.
Meanwhile Thames Valley Police is tackling metal theft by working with licensed scrap dealers in a multi-agency, force-wide operation called Operation Precious. Operation Precious aims to reduce the opportunity for thieves to sell on or dispose of stolen metal items.
This is done by urging local, licensed scrap metal dealers and vehicle dismantlers to turn away and report any attempts to sell them stolen metal. All participating dealers are regulated by their local authorities.
Anyone who may have information regarding the latest theft from the hall in Hampstead Norreys in particular, should contact the Police Enquiry Centre on 101 and quote the crime number FP/4003194/12.
Alternatively the Crimestoppers charity can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555 111.