Man charged with allegedly stealing lead from a church

The police have released the following update to the church lead theft:

Police have charged a man with allegedly stealing lead from a church.

At about 1.15am on Monday, May 17, patrolling officers saw a suspicious Vauxhall Corsa driving through Tansley.

They followed and found it abandoned nearby. A quantity of lead was found inside the car.

It was later discovered that lead had been stolen from the roof of St Helen’s Church, Church Town, Darley Dale.

Officers arrested a 22-year-old man from Alfreton and later charged him with theft. He is due to appear before magistrates in Chesterfield next month.

Derbyshire police are offering Selecta DNA to churches at a discounted price. The invisible substance can be coated onto any metal and remains on the skin or clothing of anyone who touches the metal. The substance contains a unique code, like DNA, so it can be traced back to a crime scene.

Churches in the Derbyshire Dales interested in purchasing Selecta DNA should contact Sgt Jon Lloyd on 0345 123 3333