Crackdown after spree of lead thefts

Date published: 17/08/2007

Police are taking action on lead thieves in Rochdale town centre.

Officers have vowed to get tough on offenders after a surge in lead being stripped from roofs of businesses on Church Lane and Drake Street.

As part of Operation Shaft, officers will visit various hotspots to gather intelligence on persistent offenders while targeting the places where they might try to sell the goods on, such as scrapyards and second-hand stores.

Police are also holding the first of a series of meetings on Monday 20 August, with various traders and Rochdale's MP, Paul Rowen, to discuss the problem.

Inspector James Troisi said: "We take this crime very seriously.  Evidence suggests that there is a market for scrap lead and that this has become a lucrative business for thieves at great cost to local residents, businesses and insurance companies.  Criminals often seek to offload stolen property near to where offences have occurred, and we will be targeting local scrapyards to tackle this crime."

Paul Rowen MP said: "We take very seriously this ongoing problem. This is one of a number issues which we will be raising on Monday. Other issues include protection of Town Centre businesses, security, including CCTV and anti-social behaviour. I have written to a number of businesses and welcome anyone who wants to attend. This is one of a serious of meetings that I will be having with businesses across Rochdale and I hope that they will benefit from improved communication with both the police and the Council."