A SHOPPING trolley full of lead was recovered by police after they thwarted a thief near the cathedral in Worcester.

West Mercia Police were alerted to lead being stolen from buildings in College Green at about 11.15pm on Tuesday night.

Officers attended and found a shopping trolley which had been used to transport lead removed from nearby roofs.

The police helicopter was also deployed to assist in a search of the area but the person responsible for the thefts was not found.

The helicopter which is used by West Mercia and Staffordshire Police was seen and heard flying above Fort Royal Park at about midnight.

Police are now appealing for witnesses or anyone with information about the lead thefts to contact them immediately.

A West Mercia spokesman said: “We were called at 11.15pm after reports of someone taking lead from a roof in College Green. We recovered a shopping trolley which had been filled with lead. Assistance from the police helicopter was requested and a big search of the area was carried out.

“No arrests have been made at this stage but enquiries are ongoing.”

Incidents of metal thefts have risen dramatically over the past year as the worldwide price of scrap metal has increased.

It is one of the fastest growing crimes in the UK and the annual damage to industry is estimated at almost £400 million. We reported in your Worcester News last week how lead had been stolen from the roof of St George’s Church in Barbourne. There have also been recent incidents in Evesham and Redditch.

The police spokesman said: “Our response to this latest incident is shows we are committed to continue out campaign against metal thefts in the force area.”

Anyone with information about the thefts in College Green in urged to call 0300 3333000 quoting 730/S/041011.