Marking provides solution to lead theft

One BSIA member worked with DPM Leadwork Ltd, a lead roofing company in Franham, Surrey, to reduce the theft of lead of any new roofs the company installs.

The theft of lead from roofs of public buildings such as churches, schools and council buildings has been a major problem in areas throughout the UK. The BSIA member provides a forensic marking 'grease' which has been acting as a very efficient deterrent to thieves, who can earn up to £800 per tonne for dealing in stolen scrap lead.
The marking grease can be painted onto any zinc metal, copper piping or lead roofing and once a thief handles the metal the grease is transferred onto their hands and clothing. The criminal is then irrefutably linked to the crime scene as the grease is almost impossible to remove and contains both a UV tracer and a unique DNA code.

Dave McGrath, who runs DPM Leadwork Ltd, said: "Our clients have also been very pleased with us as they feel they are getting an added service. When we lay a new lead roof for them, we offer to protect it from thieves with the forensic marking solution provided by the BSIA member."

DPM Leadwork have recently been busy replacing lead roofs on schools buildings which has made the building unsafe and in some occasions forcing the school to temporarily closed.

Mr McGrath went on to say: "We recently laid a new lead roof at a private school in Cranleigh, Surrey, which cost £12,000. We applied the forensic grease to the roof afterwards in order to deter thieves from targeting the school again. We have also put up warning signs within the school grounds as an added deterrent."

Click here to find a BSIA member who can provide you with a property marking solution.