Police warning over church thefts in Wiltshire

Salisbury Cathedral is the largest building to be targetted. Credit: Ben Birchall/PA

Police in Wiltshire have called for the public to be vigilant following a spate of lead thefts from church buildings in Wiltshire. Salisbury Cathedral is the biggest to be targetted by thieves who removed metal drainpipes. Christ Church in Warminster has lost half the lead from its roof. £40,000 worth of lead has been stripped from a rectory at Zeals near Mere. And approximately six tonnes of lead was stolen from St James Church in Bratton.

Lead piping has also been stolen from Malmesbury Abbey. Police say the thefts extend to church buildings large and small across the county.