POLICE are hunting a gang of scrap metal thieves who stripped lead from the roof of a Masonic hall.

 

The shameless crooks targeted St Thomas Masonic Hall in Larkhall and stripped the building of lead during a raid.

Officers said it was the latest in a spate of metal thefts to hit the area.

An insider estimated the haul would be worth thousands of pounds on the scrap metal market.

Constable Matthew McCabe, from Community Policing at Hamilton Police Office said: "Police are seeking the assistance of the public following a complaint of theft of lead from the roof of the St Thomas Masonic Hall in the area of Larkhall.

"This is not an isolated incident, as there has been a small increase in thefts of this nature in the area.

"Should anyone have any information which can help police with our enquiries, I would ask that you contact Community Policing at Hamilton Police Office."

The theft took place at the Masonic hall, in Wellgate Street, sometime in the past week.

It is understood the theft was only recently discovered and reported to police.

Thieves mainly target copper and lead.

Lead accounts for around 40% of metal thefts.

The cost or replacing the lead is often much greater than the scrap value for the thief.

Anyone with any information about the theft is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.