Dc Georgina Bradley with the stolen lead

Two youths were caught with hundreds of pounds' worth of suspected stolen lead stuffed inside wheelie bins.

Police were called to Heyford Hill Road, in Littlemore, Oxford, at about 11pm on Monday and found the teenagers running along the road with two green wheelie bins.

Officers stopped them and found the bins were filled with lead flashings believed to have been stolen from the area.

Dc Georgina Bradley appealed for anyone in the Littlemore or Sandford area who had suffered lead thefts to come forward.

Police are also asking for anyone with information on two or three youths seen in the area.

Dc Bradley added: "I've not come across wheelie bins being used before - usually you would need a vehicle, because lead is extremely heavy.

"We have had some lead recovered in Didcot which was being carried in rucksacks and that almost put the officers' backs out."

The wheelie bins were stolen from Mandlebrote Drive, in Littlemore, and police believe the victim of the thefts may live nearby.

The stolen lead is worth hundreds of pounds.

The number of lead thefts from roofs in Oxfordshire has rocketed in the past 18 months, with the price of metal on the black market increasing more than four-fold.

Two 17-year-old youths were arrested at the scene on suspicion of theft. Police also arrested an 18-year-old nearby. All were later released on bail.

Anyone with information should call Dc Bradley on 08458 505505 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

9:14pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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