Nursery closed after lead stolen from roof
A CHILDREN’S nursery has been forced to close after metal thieves raided the building twice in a weekend.
The roof of Jungle Junction in Denton was stripped of lead during two thefts on Saturday and Sunday night – leaving it without protection from heavy rain showers on Monday, which flooded the property.
Staff had no choice but to close the Duke Street nursery to its 52 children while emergency repairs are carried out.
The cost to replace the lead and repair the water-damaged play area inside is estimated to be around £20,000.
Two men accessed the site via Denton Park before climbing onto the roof at around 10.30pm Saturday night. It is believed they spent more than five hours picking at the roof.
Three men then returned at around 9.30pm on Sunday night to steal even more metal from beneath the tiles.
CCTV footage shows two men wearing hooded tops trespassing on the site.
Natalie Jones, manager of Jungle Junction, said: “We should have had 52 children in on Tuesday but because of the extensive flooding damage we have been forced to close.
“We’ve looked back over the CCTV and it looks like they spent five hours taking the tiles off to get to the metal.
“They even turned some of the cameras away while they did it.
“Unfortunately the heavy rain on Monday night meant water has poured into the nursery because the roof was bare.
“We had no choice but to close while we have a new roof installed. Luckily all of our parents have been very supportive and have offered to help in whatever way they can.
“We’ve spent the day clearing up as much as we can, but we’re going to need new plastering, carpets and furniture.
“It’s such a shame because we have just celebrated our first anniversary.”
Greater Manchester Police confirmed an investigation had been launched into the thefts.
A police spokesman said: “We received a call yesterday reporting a theft from a nursery in Denton.
“We are now investigating this incident. Anyone with information is urged to come forward.”
People with information are urged to call police on 101 quoting crime reference number 0555 of September 18.