THIEVES have been condemned for stealing lead from the roof of a Bradford hospice three times in three weeks.

The raids began on April 25 when lead was taken from the Marie Curie Hospice in Maudsley Street, Barkerend, which gives residential end-of-life care to 16 patients and caters for 100 patients at its day centre.

The charity's purpose-built building was hit again three days later and then again on Monday this week.

Hooded figures scrambled on to the roof above the rooms of terminally-ill patients in order to strip lead flashing from the 14-year-old building.

T&A COMMENT: SICK HOSPICE THIEVES MUST BE CAUGHT

"We put spikes along the guttering, but they hammered them down in order to get up there," said hospice manager Elaine Hill.

“It saddens me to say that despite installing extra deterrents, we have had a spate of thefts recently where people have been stealing lead from our hospice roof.

"Our night security guard has disturbed them and rung the police, but they just run away and I presume have a vehicle waiting around the corner from our service road."

Ms Hill said while the stolen lead was only valued at a few pounds, the hospice now faced a £8,000 repair bill.

"All we want to do is devote all our time, effort and money to caring for local people living with a terminal illness and their loved ones," she said.

Marie Curie community fundraiser Sharon Link said it cost the charity £5,562 every day to keep the Bradford Hospice functioning.

"We couldn't do it without the support of our community.

"This is so disappointing as it takes money away from our patients. We care for people with cancer or any terminal illness and don't need this when we are trying to expand the help we offer," she said.

Ward Councillor Imran Khan (Lab, Bowling and Barkerend) condemned the thieves and said his own family had been helped by Marie Curie staff..

"I'm disgusted somebody could do such a thing," he said.

"They do such amazing work there, it's such an important service. I will get in touch to see if I can help.

"Whoever did this needs to be caught and dealt with appropriately."

Bradford's religious community also joined in condemning those guilty of raiding the hospice.

The Bishop of Bradford Toby Howarth said: "This is a place dedicated to the physical, emotional and spiritual care of patients, caring for people from all cultures and communities, and it is a heartless criminal act by these thieves who should be ashamed of their actions.

Bradford Council for Mosques president Rafiq Seghal branded it a sinful act.

"These people cannot be in their right minds. It's disturbing, against humanity and it is committing a sin against people who deserve dignity," he said.

Sergeant David Hirst, of the Bradford East Area Neighbourhood Team, said inquiries were ongoing.

"We would also be interested in speaking to the male who was seen acting suspiciously on the premises at about 9.30am on Tuesday, April 28 - a few hours after one of the thefts occurred."

The suspect is described as a white male, about 5ft 10ins tall, who was wearing green gardening gloves, a dark coloured hooded top with the hood up and dark trousers.

"I would urge anyone with information about those who might be responsible for any of these thefts to contact the Bradford East Area Neighbourhood Team on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111," Sgt Hirst said.