Parishes Pushed to the Brink by Thieves ; Emergency Meeting Calls On Lead Thefts

Summary

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ROCKETING levels of metal thefts are costing Northumberland churches thousands of pounds and pushing parishes to the brink, it was claimed yesterday. Thefts from churches in the rural countryside are costing huge sums and are forcing churches in other parts of the region to lay off staff as they bid to cope with organised crime groups.

Police revealed thefts of lead from churches in rural Northumberland are a main concern for officers in isolated areas and the crimes is ranked alongside thefts from cars on the force's priority list. During an emergency meeting yesterday leading figures from across the North East urged the Government to change the law on scrap metal dealers.

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Extract

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Parishes Pushed to the Brink by Thieves ; Emergency Meeting Calls On Lead Thefts

Detectives, church leaders and security staff staged the conference after increased fears over the number of metal thefts across the...

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