Thieves Steal Lead From Conservatory In West Park

August 4, 2010 | Published by Steven

Thieves have stolen lead flashing from the roof of Wolverhampton’s historic West Park conservatory. The repair bill at the Grade II-listed building will cost in the region of £7,000.

The conservatory is currently closed to the public while it undergoes a £50,000 programme for essential repairs and external repainting and is due to reopen later this month.

Steve Wright, Wolverhampton City Council’s head of parks, said: “This theft is appalling.”

“These thieves are not only risking their own lives and spoiling the park for other residents but costing each one of us because it will be the taxpayer who will have to foot the bill.”

The city council and West Midlands Police are working together to monitor the park and its surrounding area.

Mr Wright added: “I would urge residents to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or behaviour to us or the police.”

The thieves are believed to have broken into the park between 10pm on last Thursday and 6am on Friday.

The park had been locked overnight and the city council’s conservatory staff discovered that the building had been targeted after they reported for duty on Friday morning.

West Park Conservatory was erected in 1896 using the proceeds of the Wolverhampton Floral Fetes and was famous for its stunning chrysanthemum displays.

It was built by Richardson & Sons of Darlington and Henry Gough, a name still associated with Wolverhampton today.

Thieves would have risked injury to climb on to the roof in the dark to steal the lead flashing.

The theft is the latest in a rising trend of metal thefts in the region. Bushbury Crematorium has been targeted six times in under a year by thieves trying to steal the cooper roofing, which is now currently being replaced with a felt material which has no sell-on value.

Gangs have also targeted electricity sub stations, risking electrocution and causing power cuts to homes and businesses.