Lead stolen from church
Church is left with £2000 worth of damage
Thieves last week caused £2000 worth of damage at Hillhouse Parish Church by pinching lead fittings from the roof.
The theft has caused extensive damage to the main church building and the small hall.
Members of the church have been left ‘disheartened.’
Thieves have pinched lead fittings from the roof of a Hamilton church, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage.
Members of Hillhouse Parish Church have been “disheartened” by the act which has caused extensive damage to the main building and the small hall.
The thieves targeted the church on Thursday, June 9, in the early hours, causing £2000 worth of damage.
The stolen lead is treated with identification paint and is marked with ‘smart water’ forensic technology, making it more difficult for the thieves to sell on to a scrap merchant as these dealers are asked about this paint.
Jim Spreckley, who is a member of the Property Committee at Hillhouse Parish Church, is appealing to everyone associated with the church to respond in an attempt to identify those responsible for this crime.
He said: “We work very closely with the community with almost 700 people passing through our doors weekly to attend services, youth groups, fitness and art classes. We ask them to pass the word to help the police.
“Although not everyone in Hillhouse attends any of the activities held within our church most will know someone who does and I am confident that they will help where possible.”
Jim tried to remain positive and believes with bad news also comes some good.
He said: “Some good always emerges from such happenings and in our case we can now say that we are now a lead free church.”
Christopher Rankine, the newly installed minister of the church, also praised all who responded so promptly to this incident, including members of the Property Committee, the police, and especially to the firm of Ed Sweeney for quickly attending in order to commence making the damaged areas safe.
If anyone has any information on this theft please contact PC Scott Brown at the Hamilton Station by calling 101.