Thieves target Redbourn fire station
THIEVES have stripped a fire station of a large section of roof for building materials. The retained station in Redbourn High Street was targeted at some point between last Wednesday evening and the following morning, leaving thousands of pounds worth of
THIEVES have stripped a fire station of a large section of roof for building materials.
The retained station in Redbourn High Street was targeted at some point between last Wednesday evening and the following morning, leaving thousands of pounds worth of damage.
About half of the copper on the roof over the appliance bay was stolen, leaving the interior and equipment open to the elements.
One of the retained firefighters spotted the damage on Thursday morning and the fire service's Rescue Support Unit was sent to the scene to cover the roof in plastic sheeting to temporarily protect the station from further damage.
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Repair work will commence shortly but it is thought that a less-expensive material will need to be found to use in place of the stolen copper.
John Print, the retained support officer for Dacorum and St Albans, said: "The retained firefighters do a fantastic job for the community. They don't get a huge amount of pay and it's a massive imposition on their lives to have that pager in their pocket all the time. It's just such a shame for this sort of thing to happen; it shows such a disrespect."
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A spokesperson for Herts Fire and Rescue Service said: "This has not affected the operational capacity of the station but we are of course very disappointed that anybody would target a fire station - which is there to serve the community - in this way."
Herts Police are investigating the theft and a spokesperson for the force said a number of enquiries, including door-to-door interviews, had already taken place.
They are appealing for witnesses to the theft or anyone with information to come forward and call neighbourhood police officer Christine Clayton on 0845 3300 222.
Alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Thefts for building materials are becoming an increasing problem in the district.
In October, the Herts Advertiser reported on the theft of a large section of lead worth more than �50,000 from the roof of St Michael's Church in St Albans.
Shortly after that thieves targeted St Leonard's Church in Sandridge for the same reason but did not steal anywhere near the same amount.
