Police are appealing to find the crooks who stole a section of metal from a Rainham Methodist church.

The thieves targeted the Elm Park Methodist church, in Freebourne Road, overnight on October 4 and 5, taking a strip of the lead roofing.

The thieves probably climbed scaffolding to get to the roof, a member of the church told the Recorder.

The church is joined to flats which have also had some lead taken.

The cost of the damage is as yet unknown.

Lead was also stolen from the roof of another church in the area.

Thieves took a section from the Chase Cross Baptist Church, in Chase Cross Road, Collier Row, between October 1 and 5.

“Someone from the shop next door noticed part of the roof was missing,” said Rev Anthony Gill.

He added: “It’s only a bit of lead. There are more serious things to worry about. It’s just an inconvenience.

The roof will be repaired with a cheaper, non-lead material.

Due to the rising price of lead, thefts have increased.

Anyone with information regarding the thefts, should contact Romford police on 101.