Police collar suspected lead thieves on roof of Sikh temple

When West Yorkshire Police officers arrived at the scene they saw the suspects on the roof of the temple. Two youths were arrested shortly after, at about 4.30am yesterday. A member of the public dialled 999 after seeing three people stealing lead from the roof of the temple on Hillhouse Lane.

The youths, aged 15 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of theft and remained in custody yesterday. Police have appealed for anyone with any information about the whereabouts of a third suspect who has not yet been traced to come forward.

Inquiries into the theft are ongoing and police are keen to hear from any witnesses.

Insp Nick Harvey, of Kirklees police, said: “We treat lead thefts very seriously as they cause expensive damage to property and in this case, have damaged a focal point of the community. This is not something that we will tolerate and I would appeal for anyone with any information that could help us trace the outstanding suspect to contact us.”

Metal thieves have targeted cemeteries, schools, religious buildings, listed Victorian buildings and railways across Yorkshire. The number of offences has risen dramatically in the region as the price of copper and lead has soared.

Anyone with information about the latest theft can contact the Huddersfield North Neighbourhood Policing Team via 0845 6060606 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.