A women’s support service director has said that she was left ‘devastated’ after thieves stole the lead from the roof of her organisation– with subsequent flooding causing more than £15,000 worth of damage.
Stepping Stones, a non profit organisation which gives a range of support for women, had its base on George Street West targeted by thieves on Thursday night– who stripped lead from the roof of the building.
This left the structure vulnerable to rainfall which poured in the same night, causing thousands of pounds of damage to walls, ceilings and floors inside the office.
Early estimates suggest replacement of the lead will set Stepping Stones back £15,000, with the cost of damage to the inside of the building currently unknown.
Director Karen Godfrey told Herald & Post: “I was devastated.
“We have had to turn women away, it has been horrible.
“Whoever did this is the lowest of the low but we will not let this get us down.
“By hook or by crook we will stay open.”
Following the theft Stepping Stones has been forced to mount CCTV cameras.
Mrs Godfrey added: “The security of this place has been on my heart recently but I didn’t think anything like this would happen.”