THIEVES are thought to be targeting a major North Somerset school for the lead and copper on its buildings. A gang started to strip the roofs of Churchill Community School in two night-time raids. It is thought the culprits are trying to sell them for scr

THIEVES are thought to be targeting a major North Somerset school for the lead and copper on its buildings.A gang started to strip the roofs of Churchill Community School in two night-time raids.It is thought the culprits are trying to sell them for scrap, as the market for copper and lead becomes more lucrative.Thefts of metals like copper have increased across the globe after the scrap value soared, because of the demand for them in countries such as China.It is feared the schools' roof could leak if more lead is stolen because it is used to flush rainwater away.In the latest attempt to take the materials from Churchill school on Saturday night a villager spotted the group clambering on the roof. He managed to record the numberplate of the getaway car and police tracked it down. It had been abandoned in the Stockwood area of Bristol and it is being examined by forensic experts for fingerprints.Community beat officer PC Ray Bradley is hoping residents will continue to report any unusual activity at the school.He said: "The group managed to make off with rolls of copper cabling which was being prepared to be used by the school."The lead that was ripped off was flushing water off the roof, so if they continue to do it then the water will start to get in."Copper is really valuable at the moment and there have been a lot of reports of it being stolen from unusual places so it can be sold on for scrap."What was really encouraging though was someone helping us out and taking down the registration number of the car involved."When the villager approached the group it scared them off and they ran away and drove off towards Puxton."Hopefully we will be able to find the culprits through fingerprint analysis of the car.