Copper thieves bring down spire

Thieves who ripped down and stole a copper lightning conductor pulled down a church spire in the process.

Masonry from the spire crashed to the ground during the raid at All Saints Church in Little Staughton, Beds.

Thieves tied rope to the conductor and a vehicle and ripped it away, bringing down the spire and damaging the tower.

A large bell in the tower, dating from the 15th Century, is in a dangerous condition and repairs will cost about £50,000, a church spokesman said.

Bedfordshire police said they are treating the case as a theft of metal at this stage.