Daring thieves stripped lead from a village church twice on consecutive nights, in acts which have been described as “desecration”.
It’s believed that the same people were responsible for the thefts from St Mary Magdalene Church in Gedney last weekend.
Vehicle tracks from the A17 across fields to the church have been analysed by scenes of crime officers.
It’s believed that those responsible shinned up drainpipes to carry out the thefts, which occurred overnight on Friday and Saturday.
In total about 24sq metres of lead were stolen.
Gutted churchwarden William Webb said: “I’m extremely sad and disturbed that this should happen to a Grade 1 listed building but it’s particularly galling at the height of our flower festival.
“I look on this as desecration.”
The first incident, which happened between 7pm on Friday and 8am on Saturday, was discovered after a dog walker reported a disturbance to a wall on the north aisle of the building in Church End.
Mr Webb said: “You couldn’t see what had happened from close to the church.
“I got the police involved and also a local builder to make the place watertight.
“But the same happened overnight on Saturday.
“The mode of operation was the same.”
Security at the church will be reviewed in light of the incidents.
An angry Mr Webb said: “The insurance will put it right and we will move on but the hurt will take some time to get over.
“We will be talking to both the police and the diocese about what security measures we can take on a huge church in a fairly remote spot.”
Lincolnshire Police are appealing for contact by anyone who saw anything that they may now feel was suspicious, or who has any information about this crime
A statement said: “A vehicle of some description must have been used to remove the lead from the site.”
Call 101 or, alternatively, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
