Bishop Auckland shop landed with £2,000 bill after lead stolen (From The Northern Echo)
For details on how to contact our editorial and commercial departments, click here
Bishop Auckland shop landed with £2,000 bill after lead stolen
3:14pm Sunday 24th February 2013 in News By Duncan Leatherdale
A SHOP owner has been left with a bill of more than £2,000 after thieves stole lead flashing from the rear of his business leading to extensive water damage inside.
About 80 feet of lead flashing was stolen from the rear of an empty shop on Newgate Street in Bishop Auckland sometime over the past few months.
Last month’s heavy snowfall caused extensive water damage inside the former fashion shop, which has been empty for two years.
The owner, who asked not to be named, said the thieves probably sold the 18-inch wide flashing for a few hundred pounds but the repair alone will cost him much more.
He said: “Not only do we have to repair the damage, prospective tenants are also being put off from moving in.
“These people have no morals and will pinch anything from anyone.”
The owner now plans to replace the lead with an artificial non-metallic flashing.
PC Alex Riley from Bishop Auckland neighbourhood beat team is appealing for anyone with information on the theft to contact him.
He can be contacted at Bishop Auckland Police Station on 101.
More Bishop Auckland News
- Riding centre needs volunteers
- Prestigious engineering award given to Shildon's pioneering tilting train
- Hidden camera captures fly-tippers in action
- Woman stole from ill mother to buy drugs
- Police hunt phone thief
- Cake festival coming to Cowshill
- Activities for young people in east Durham
- Council agrees to look at parking needs for Bishop Auckland traders
- New indoor Bishop Auckland proms event cancelled
