The rector of a historic Dundee church has said the thieves who stole lead from its roof have committed a sin.
The Rev Clive Clapson said St Salvador’s was facing a loss of at least £1,000 after 11 large tiles were taken in two raids.
Luckily the richly-coloured Gothic Revival interior of the church remains intact, but the adjacent hall has suffered some damage.
It is thought two thieves scaled a drainpipe on May 30 to reach a valley in the roof between the church and hall. They managed to escape with only one lead tile after being caught by motion-sensing lighting.
However, they returned three nights later and this time took 10 tiles.
Mr Clapson said: “It’s quite a bit of lead that’s missing in that area. There is a little internal damage, not to the church but to the hall.”
He said the church interior was “unique in Scotland” and could have been put at risk.
Mr Clapson said: “We have break-ins and thefts of other stuff, but our security is reasonably good now and more sophisticated than it used to be.
“We do a lot of work with needy people in the Hilltown we have a food programme that is one of the busiest in the country. This means our resources will have to be diverted.
“This is not a victimless crime. There is only so much the insurance will cover. We have to pay the excess and we will be out of pocket £1,000.
“These people have absolutely no thought except for themselves it’s a sin.”
Anyone with information can call police on 101.