Thieves Rip Off Copper Roof at Eastbourne Church – £7,000 Damage!
St Richard of Chichester’s Church in Langney, Eastbourne, has been hit again by copper thieves. The latest theft saw £7,000 worth of damage after criminals stripped copper roofing from the church’s Edmonds Chapel.
The break-in happened between 1am and 7am on Wednesday, 19 February. This was the third time the parish has been targeted. The previous attacks were back in 2018 and most recently on 30 December last year, which caused £7,500 in damage.
Community Heartbroken by Senseless Crime
Police Community Support Officer Daryl Holter, who specialises in heritage crime, condemned the attack. He said:
“Damaging any property is bad enough, but targeting a church which is used by the community is disgraceful. Churches create and evoke memories, and are used for so many reasons.”
PCSO Holter added the cost of the latest raid was “overwhelming” for both the church’s congregation and their finances. Residents have reportedly been left “frustrated and depressed” by the repeated offences.
Help Police Crack the Copper Roof Crime
If you have any information that could aid the investigation, Sussex Police urge you to come forward. Contact them online or call 101, quoting serial 1181 of 19/02.
