Building bosses hit the roof after Leith lead thefts

Buildings including the Citadel Youth Centre, Leith Theatre, South Leith Parish Church and the former Bonnington Primary School have been hit by the thefts.

Youth centre bosses say the problem is so bad that children's activities could be under threat if thieves strike again.

Manager Willy Barr said: "We've been robbed twice now. I'm not sure how much the lead's worth to the people who took it, but it's going to cost us 5000 to 8000 to get the work repaired, which is a lot of money to a charity like us.

"We won't be putting lead back on the roof. If the actual lead theft coincides with bad weather, you've got internal damage to pay for, which could potentially shut us.

"We raise a lot of money in the community and we work hard here, we've got the kids out doing bag packing and they're raising that kind of money for summer programmes and the like and when lead gets nicked off the roof, money's got to be found.

"It hasn't happened yet, but I don't want to be in the situation that I have to say to the kids that some of the things that we were going to do can't be done."

Mr Barr added: "If everyone could be vigilant and if you see folk on roofs, call the police - if lead thieves know they've got a chance of getting caught, because they know that people are looking out for them, that would be good."

Property convener of South Leith Parish Church, Arthur Mathieson, said it had sustained 6000 of damage in March after lead flashings were torn off the roof.

He said: "I don't know how much they'll have got for it, but it won't be as much as it's cost us to repair it," he said.

Leith councillor Gordon Munro said he was also aware of thefts from Leith Theatre and the disused Bonnington Primary School building.

He said: "Whoever it is, they're stealing from the community. I know it's not just a problem in Leith, but Leith does seem to have been targeted quite heavily and these are all public spaces that are having to pick up the tab."

A police spokesman said: "There have been a number of incidents of lead theft in Edinburgh in recent weeks, and this is a trend that is reflected across the country.

"Anyone who suspects that lead has been stolen should contact police, likewise anyone who has any information."