You are here:
Joint working to tackle lead theft in Hoyland
Caption: (From left to right) PC Dixon, PC Sumpter, Berneslai Homes Tom Feeney and Inspace Painters Tim Yarham and Gary Parker.
In recent months Berneslai Homes along with the wider community have been victims of lead thefts from their properties. Six local men have recently been arrested and convicted. The theft of lead has become a national problem which is spiralling out of control due to the high price of metals.
Working in partnership with South Yorkshire Police, Berneslai Homes and partners Inspace got together to discuss ways of targeting the thieves and protecting the properties from future criminal activity. They decided to pilot a scheme which involved coating all exposed metals including lead and roof coverings with a coloured dye. This dye is invisible to the naked eye but does transfer to any person who comes into contact with the coating. The coating will remain on the skin and clothing for several weeks, which will aid recovery of the metal and possible prosecution for people who have come into contact with the dye.
Berneslai Homes Planned Maintenance Manager, Tom Feeney said,” The theft of lead from our properties has become a real problem. Not only does it cause a nuisance and leave our tenants feeling vulnerable, it also damages homes causing water penetration and can ruin the interiors of our tenants homes. We have worked with our partners in trying to target this criminal damage.”
Berneslai Homes are piloting the project on the Cloughfields and St Andrews Crescent Estates in Hoyland but are considering protecting all its properties with the paint in the future.
END