THE Bishop of Winchester is calling on MPs to back a bill forcing scrap metal dealers to be licensed.
The Rt Rev Tim Dakin says his diocese, which extends almost to Fareham, is one of the worst-hit in the country.
It has suffered 50 separate incidents of metal thefts from roofs of churches since 2011. In one case thieves stole more than £100,000 worth of lead in one hit.
A bill has been put forward by Conservative backbencher Richard Ottoway to bring in the licensing of scrap metal dealers and to make it law that all transactions have to be recorded.
The Rt Rev Tim Dakin says his diocese, which extends almost to Fareham, is one of the worst hit in the country.
It has suffered 50 separate incidents of metal thefts from roofs of churches since 2011.
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