Google, a new tool for church thieves
Source: Agencies |
December 4, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
THIEVES in Britain are using Google Earth to target lead roofs on Church of England buildings to sell on the lucrative metals market, a Church spokesman said.
About 8,000 insurance claims have been made for lead theft worth about 23 million pounds (US$35.93 million) during the past three years, Church estates commissioner Tony Baldry said during a debate in Westminster Hall this week.
In many cases, churches have replaced their roofs only to be targeted again, in one case 14 times.
Many of the Church of England's 16,000 churches are "listed," which provides planning protection for buildings of historical value, and date back hundreds of years.
"The higher the price of lead, the more churches are stripped of it," Baldry said.
The economic downturn, coupled with fears over sovereign debts in the euro zone, has seen investors turn away from paper assets in favour of base and precious metals.
Lead can now sell for nearly US$2,400 per ton on the metals market - up from below US$900 at the end of 2008.
Baldry called on police and local authorities to regularly spot-check scrap metal yards and inspect registers.
"Lead theft is one of the most serious threats at present to the Church of England's churches," he said.
"Night after night, lead is being stolen from church roofs, and thieves now use Google Earth to find targets, including church roofs."
About 8,000 insurance claims have been made for lead theft worth about 23 million pounds (US$35.93 million) during the past three years, Church estates commissioner Tony Baldry said during a debate in Westminster Hall this week.
In many cases, churches have replaced their roofs only to be targeted again, in one case 14 times.
Many of the Church of England's 16,000 churches are "listed," which provides planning protection for buildings of historical value, and date back hundreds of years.
"The higher the price of lead, the more churches are stripped of it," Baldry said.
The economic downturn, coupled with fears over sovereign debts in the euro zone, has seen investors turn away from paper assets in favour of base and precious metals.
Lead can now sell for nearly US$2,400 per ton on the metals market - up from below US$900 at the end of 2008.
Baldry called on police and local authorities to regularly spot-check scrap metal yards and inspect registers.
"Lead theft is one of the most serious threats at present to the Church of England's churches," he said.
"Night after night, lead is being stolen from church roofs, and thieves now use Google Earth to find targets, including church roofs."
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