CHURCH-GOERS have voiced fears that gangs are repeatedly stealing valuable lead from historic church roofs - due to strict rules governing what materials must be used.

Soaring metal prices have fueled demand for lead, and four churches have been raided in Wanstead and Woodford iover the past year. But English Heritage insist listed buildings must use identical materials in repairs, and this stops many older buildings using cheaper materials which are not so tempting for thieves.

Rev Rosalind Selby, of Wanstead’s United Reformed Church in Grosvenor Road, used a substitute material after lead was stolen from the roof of her church to avoid being targeted again in the future.

She said: “At the moment we are not a listed building with English Heritage but there is an application pending. Had it already been granted we would be very concerned.

“People are being forced to replace like-for-like and with the market for lead being as it is at the moment it is leaving churches open to being targeted again.”

St Mary’s, Christ Church and United Reformed Church (UFC) in Wanstead, and St Paul’s in Woodford Green, have all been victims of lead theft recently with other domestic properties also targeted.

Rev Robert Springett, of St Mary’s Church, said that as the building was grade one listed, they had installed security devices to protect themselves in the future.

He added: “All churches that have lead on them are subject to targeting by thieves.

“I was at a meeting of about 40 churches and half of those parishes have had lead stolen. It’s a staggering problem.

“We have invested in lots of technology such as smart water marks which is individual to each particular parish and new CCTV cameras.

An English Heritage spokeswomen said it sympathised with churches.

She added: “There are good reasons why our guidance recommends like-for-like replacement as lead is very durable and performs extremely well as a roofing material.

“It can easily be repaired and much of it comes from recycled sources. It is also authentic and beautiful. But our guidance is by no means a diktat and each case should be considered on its merits.

“If replacing with lead is not immediately affordable, we recommend that owners find a temporary solution using materials such as felt which can last as long as ten years.”