Boy of 15 charged after lead stolen from bank’s roof

Feb 3 2011 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A YOUTH aged 15 years has been charged in connection with the theft of lead from the roof of a bank in Larkhall.

The teenager was charged, along with a 18-year-old youth, after lead flashing was stolen from the roof of the Bank of Scotland in Union Street. The incident occurred on Thursday, January 20, about 10.50pm.

The 15-year-old will be reported to the Children’s Reporter while the 18-year-old will be reported to the procurator fiscal.

Now police are appealing for the public’s help after a spate of similar incidents at businesses, churches, and homes in the town.

Officers launched a probe after 40m of lead flashing was stolen from the roof of Lloyds TSB bank in Union Street between Monday, January 17, and Friday, January 21. Inquiries are on-going.

Residents say lead has also been taken from homes in Hareleeshill.

Last month, the Advertiser reported how church-goers slammed thieves who stole thousands of pounds worth of lead from the roof of Rorison Memorial Church in Ashgill. It was the third such incident since last October at the building which belongs to Dalserf Church.

In the latest incident, vandals stripped almost all of the lead from the roof. Church officials were left with a mopping up operation as water was leaking from the roof into the building, which is undergoing a £200,000 renovation. The final stages of the work are in progress.

Yesterday (Wednesday) Inspector Andy Munro of Larkhall Police Office urged the public to be vigilant and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He added: “We continue to have reports of thefts of this nature and we are working with partner agencies and scrap metal dealers to identify the perpetrators.

“People do not realise the damage that this type of theft causes to both personal properties and businesses. “We are confident that people know who is responsible for these crimes, and we would urge them to get in touch with us.”

Anyone with information on the above incidents should contact Larkhall Police Office on 202300, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, where calls are free and anonymity can be maintained.