Grade I listed school falls prey to low grade theft - lead strippers threaten our heritage

Police are on high alert after lead strippers stole irreplaceable lead from a unique 17th Century building in Appleby Magna.

The Sir John Moore Foundation was constructed between 1693 and 1697, based on an original design by Sir Christopher Wren and Sir William Wilson. It was established and financed by Sir John Moore, the younger son of the local squire who became Lord Mayor and Alderman of London. The school occupies an elevated position to the south of the village and sits in its own walled, landscaped grounds totaling just over 3.5 acres. The main school building is Grade I listed whilst the gates, gate piers, wall and outbuildings are all Grade II listed.

Deana Wildgoose, the charity manager (pictured with a surviving example of an original bracket) said: "It's a very sad day, some of this lead work cannot be replaced. The building has stood for over 300 years and petty thieves have stolen part of our heritage.

"Over 16 lead ornate brackets and 20 metres of lead down pipe were taken in the early hours of Dec 27th. Our Grade I listed 17th century building is unique, delivering the vision of Sir John Moore by providing education to all."

At this stage Trace in Metals were called in to secure the metal assets for the future - managing director and former senior policeman, John Minary explains:

"This installation was very quick and easy for us, as we were able to:

• Infuse the new sections of fall pipe with the Trace-in-Metal coded microdots using our applicator gun
• Surface mark the sections with weather resistant UV lacquer, which also contains 1000's coded microdots
• Surface mark the sections with the Post-code of the school in UV Ink.

"By doing this, we provide a resilient marking system, that protects the metal throughout the metal recycling 'foodchain'.

"Because the microdots we use survive the temperatures used in reprocessing lead, and can be easily collects and read, we can trace the metal back to source, at each and every stage of the recycling process.

"The deterrent factor therefore goes higher up the food chain as well. Our system is very much aimed at removing the market for stolen metal, and because the Scrap Metal Dealers (SMD's) know they can't get rid of the markers, they will not be able to sell the metal on.

"To help with this, we sign up the local SMD's as Trace-in-Metal detectors, and provide them with deterrent signage. Indeed, we have developed a network of Police, SMD and local authority contacts, and following the Sir John Moore theft, we were able to broadcast the theft of the original lead to over 200 SMD's."

To find out more about keeping your valuable metal assets safe visit www.trace-in-metal.com