Home » Acquisitive Crime (e.g burglary; purse theft; shed break ins; theft of, or from, a motor vehicle and shoplifting) » Current Crime Reduction Campaigns » Metal Theft » Protect your lead

Protect your lead

 To reduce the risk of lead being stolen from your roof:

• Paint your roof lead with silver paint – this significantly devalues the metal making it less attractive to thieves.

• Or, lead can be painted with anti-climb paint - the paint is non-drying and marks clothes and skin, making it messy and difficult to remove the lead AND helping the Police identify offenders.  

• Carry out regular checks of your roof so any thefts are detected quickly.

• Keep tools and machinery locked away – as well as any ladders or items which could be used to gain access to your roof.

• Lock away any metal items which could attract interest from thieves - such as bikes, mowers and old car parts.

• Mark your metal items with a house number and postcode. 

• Keep unwanted metal out of sight.  Scrap left around your property can attract the attention of potential offenders.

• Forensic marking solutions can also be used, applying a unique 'DNA' type code to marked items.  If your lead or metal items are recovered, this forensic code links the item to its owner and an offender to the crime scene.

• Should you need to replace your lead for any reason, choose a ‘lead alternative’ material (which has no re-sale value).  Or if planning restrictions dictate the use of lead, coloured lead can be utilised.  Coloured lead flashing can blend in with the building - making it less easy for thieves to recognise as lead.