A SCHOOL in East Dorset has fallen victim to the recent craze for stripping valuable metal from roofs.

Senior staff at Michael's Middle School in Colehill have confirmed that all of the lead flashing from the school's roof and window edges was stripped by thieves.

A spate of similar crimes has been occurring across the country with schools, community buildings and churches as targets.

As is the case with Heathlands School in Bournemouth, which had all its copper stolen from its roof in early September, the thieves carried out their crime at St Michael's over consecutive nights in August.

Head teacher, Paul Nation, said: "We spotted about a quarter of the lead was missing on the bank holiday Saturday so informed police. We believed that the thieves assumed it wouldn't be noticed missing until the Tuesday morning and that they would be back to take more.

"So we asked police to keep and eye on the school, which they did, returning several times, but unfortunately the rest was taken.

"Luckily it didn't rain and water didn't get into the school. Repairs have since been completed to make the roof secure and safe but it is the inconvenience of it all."

A spokesman from Dorset Police confirmed the theft and says that finger printing and forensic enquiries are ongoing.

The news follows the theft of lead worth £30,000 from the roof of the 12th-century St Mary's Church in Lytchett Matravers.

If you can help police with their enquiries about the Colehill school incident contact PC Steve Cartwright at Wimborne Police Station on 01202 222222 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.