EXTRA plain-clothes police officers are being used to catch thieves who have stripped lead from 17 buildings in Ringwood in the last month.

The thieves are being warned they face a maximum term of seven years in jail.

A gang of thieves struck Greyfriars Community Centre in Ringwood on Friday - stripping completely the lead from the veranda roof.

The crime has come as a bitter blow to manager Mimi Parry, who is fundraising all year round to keep the Grade I-listed building in good order.

She said: "I am so upset. We serve the whole community and these people just don't appreciate that it could be their own grandparents of nieces and nephews using the centre.

"Because of this crime we are now having to raise money to replace the lead on the roof, which didn't need to be done before the theft.

"We are a Grade I-listed building so materials are not cheap and we are in the process of getting quotes."

She added: "We fundraise to maintain the building to give the community a good building to use for activities. When we have to make repairs it means the money cannot be used in other important areas. It is terribly sad."

New Forest west inspector James Douglas told the Journal that patrols were being stepped up in the town centre and that plain-clothes officers will be patrolling in the early hours of the morning.

"Ringwood town centre is being hit by gangs who are stealing the lead to sell as scrap for cash in this recession," he said.

"The suspects have been caught on CCTV but they have covered their faces. We know they are local youths. We are using extra plain clothes police officers to apprehend the thieves along with additional police officers."

He added: "Small amounts of lead are being stolen and the value is low but the cost involved and the time taken to replace the lead is significant to the victims."

Insp Douglas told the Journal that DNA grease marking kits, which is almost impossible to remove from the skin, were being given to organisations and scrap metal yards to trace the lead to the thieves.

Sgt RIck Gallagher said: "This crime is particularly distressing for the victim as in many cases they are often unaware of the theft until their premises are flooded due to rain incursion through the damaged roof.

"The cost of the lead is disproportionate to the value of the stolen lead. The thief may make a few pounds but the true cost to the victim often runs into thousands.

"Many of the buildings are public buildings, which ultimately costs us all."

Scrap dealers issued with ultraviolet scanners will contact police if stolen property is detected.