ORGANISATIONS across Abingdon, large and small, are counting the cost of a “professional” raid which stripped lead from the roofs of schools, council offices and a church.

Previous experience shows that once these gangs strike they often return months later to wreak more havoc.

One preventative measure organisations can employ is marking the metal with an invisible liquid which can later be detected by police officers recovering the material.

This would take time, effort and investment but could act as a vital deterrent to deter metal thieves — and those selling on the lead — in future.

Repeated raids on a building can be extremely damaging and can even threaten the viability of much-loved places like churches once insurers become reluctant to cover the cost of repairing the damage.

Thames Valley Police officers have not yet made any arrests and if raiders come from outside the area they could have a difficult job.

What seems clear is that Abingdon as a town needs to protect itself from being ransacked in this way in future.

One of the victims, the town council, should convene a meeting, with Thames Valley Police invited to attend in an advisory capacity.