Lead stolen from building's roof

The Administration building, which once served patients of the former psychiatric hospital, High Royds, has been left badly damaged by thieves.

Whole sections of the roof have been stripped, rousing fears that an ornate mosaic floor and a stained glass window within the premises could be left vulnerable to water damage.

Local resident Ashley Wilkes, 42, said: "It's shocking. The building inside is beautiful. There are a lot of unique and historic features inside which are now exposed to the elements. The roof is letting in water - it's a mess. I hope it is fixed quickly before any further damage is done."

However, Gladedale Yorkshire managing director Warren Thompson allayed those fears, saying the roof was being replaced and that no damage to the interior had been caused.

He said: "The roof in the area affected by the theft is being replaced, and luckily the thieves were interrupted, so any negative effects to the fabric of the building are incidental. Luckily, the lovely Victorian mosaic entrance hall and stained-glass windows were entirely unaffected. These are irreplaceable period features of this listed building."

The administration building is grade II listed and includes an Italian mosaic floor in the main corridor, intricately decorated with the Yorkshire Rose and black daisies. Also within the building, which dates back to 1888, are elaborate carvings, original stained glass windows and an old mortuary.

It is the second time in recent months the High Royds site has been targeted by thieves. In September, thieves broke down a cellar door near High Royds Sports and Social club and stole copper pipes from the hot water system in the boiler room.

A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: "This is a problem nationally due to the price of semi-precious metal increasing. We would also appeal to scrap metal dealers to ask where items have come from. If they are suspicious they should contact us on 0845 6060606."