Metal thieves have struck again at an award winning National Trust site in West Yorkshire.
The thieves appear to have targeted the 17th century East Riddlesden Hall in Keighley with this being the third attempt to steal metal from the buildings in the last fortnight. In this latest attempt the roof of the building used as offices and meeting rooms has been stripped of lead and damage caused is estimated to cost around £6000 to repair. The Great Barn has also previously been targeted.
Sickened by the theft, Mike Freeman, house steward at the National Trust property commented, “The lead flashing isn’t historic – it dates from the early 1980s – but we are now having to get it replaced, which of course will cost money.
“Fortunately we managed to quickly patch-up areas of the roof where leaks could have occurred so there was no damage within the building and we have been able continue to use it. We will be replacing the lead with a more modern, alternative material.”