“Why are people being so vindictive?” Church fears closure after lead thefts

A community church which supports recovering drug addicts fears it may have to close its doors after being targeted by thieves for the fifth time.

Staff from Dundee’s Coldside Parish Church contacted The Courier after their beloved building fell victim to lead thieves for the fifth time in two years.

Heartless crooks scaled 50 ft to reach the building’s summit before tearing “miles of lead” from the structure.

In an ironic twist of fate, the church was in the process of having CCTV cameras installed at the time of the theft.

To add insult to injury, after phoning their parish’s insurance providers, congregation members were told that they had reached their maximum level of claims

Though this is yet to be fully confirmed, worshippers fear the double body blow may have a devastating impact on the church’s ability to function.

Session clerk Yvonne Grant told The Courier that she was at a loss as to explain why her parish was routinely singled out by robbers.

She said: “This will cost us many thousands of pounds.

“We’ve had lead stolen five times and as a result we could be losing our insurance cover because we’ve reached our maximum level.

“As a church we’re always trying to help our community, but it seems that we’re always getting kicked in the teeth.”

Yvonne continued: “We’ve recently spent £640,000 getting the building brought up to standards and now it’s been damaged by people who just don’t care.

“We would never like to close our building down. It’s just so sad.”

Frustratingly, at the time of the robbery, work was under way to install security cameras within the church after congregation members became fed up of falling victim to crooks.

The relentless nature of the robberies is beginning to take its toll on Yvonne and fellow worshippers.

She admitted: “The stress to me and my team is unbelievable.

“If someone falls off and injures themselves or worse I could never forgive myself.

“I think it’s just devilment. Why are people being so vindictive towards our building?”

Reverend Tony Thornthwaite added: “We have a lifetime guarantee with lead and only get 20 years for non-lead based solution, but at this rate, the lead won’t last 20 days.

“It’s a waste of money, but it’s also very dangerous.

“If people fall off the roof they will kill themselves.

“We’re praying for their safety.”

A police spokeswoman confirmed that enquiries are continuing into the robbery.