"MINDLESS" crooks stripped lead from the roof of an historic building - the third to be targeted in Harwich in a matter of months.

The thieves scaled the 1912 Centre, in Cow Lane, which serves as accommodation and a youth hostel, before stealing a quantity of lead and damaging the roof.

A bedroom in the centre then suffered water damage after heavy rain over the weekend.

The incident comes after both St Nicholas Church and Harwich’s Salvation Army headquarters were targeted multiple times in the space of a few days last month.

“It seems to be the same people doing this,” said Debbie Rotchell, a director with Harwich Connexions, which runs the centre.

“When the Salvation Army was hit it affected our community transport as we take a lot of people to their clubs held there, which were all cancelled as a result.

“It is just mindless.

“It has a knock on effect which I’m sure these people don’t even think about.”

She added: “The lead was stolen from the two flat roofs of the centre.

“We have had a small amount of water come through into one of the bedrooms, but have managed to get some tarpaulin over to keep the roof secure until repairs are made.

“We are insured and will have to wait to see what the cost is, but it will be hundreds of pounds.”

An Essex Police spokesman said officers were contacted about the theft on April 22.

“This is thought to have happened between 12am on April 16 and 8am on April 22,” he said.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact Essex Police on 101.”

Thousands of pounds of damage was caused to the Salvation Army citadel, in George Street, after thieves stole lead from the roof on March 1 and 3.

Subsequent heavy rain caused water damage to the building, which houses the town’s foodbank.