New church alarm helps police to arrest two in connection with lead theft

A newly installed alarm helped police officers to arrest two men on suspicion of lead theft.

Officers attended St Nicholas Church, on Church Street, Wells at around 3.55am on Friday after the alarm was triggered.

When they arrived they found two men, aged 23 and 26, in a vehicle outside the church.

They were both arrested on suspicion of theft and one was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of drugs.

Reverend, Alan Elkins, “This was the first attempt as far we know. This year we installed alarms because so many churches have had lead stolen and the gang or gangs doing it were working their way west to east.

“It seemed it was a question of when rather than if.”

Anyone with information about lead thefts in their neighbourhood should contact Norfolk Constabulary on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.