7:20am Monday 22nd March 2010
THIEVES stole lead and caused hundreds of pounds worth of damage when they targeted a nursery in an affluent Bolton street.
Bosses at Highview in Belmont Road have shelled out thousands of pounds for repairs in recent years due to a series of thefts.
The latest incident happened on Friday morning when two men were seen on the roof shortly before 3am.
Police officers and a police helicopter were on the scene but the intruders managed to get around the back of the nursery and steal lead.
Rob Seabrook lives in the flat above with his nursery manager wife and their two young children. He said there had been 10 break-ins at the nursery in the last seven years and is calling for police to step up patrols.
Mr Seabrook, aged 49, said: “We heard strange noises and when I looked out a man was on the roof. I shouted to him then saw another man and heard a massive bang so they must have fallen off.
“It is a regular occurrence. We have alarms and CCTV cameras but it would be really nice to see officers out on the street.”
Sasha Seabrook, nursery manager, said it was the third time thieves had targeted the nursery for lead.
She said: “The first time it cost us a couple of thousands of pounds in repairs. It is just lead, I don’t know why they are doing it.”
Mrs Seabrook said it would cost a few hundred pounds to pay for repairs this time.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We received a report of a man on the roof at 2.50am trying to steal lead. We tried to find those responsible but could not. An investigation has been launched into the theft and inquiries are ongoing.”
Anyone with information should call police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800
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