Lead thief targets historic Arkwright House

Arkwright House, named after famous Prestonian Richard Arkwright and situated on Stoneygate, was targeted by an unknown man around 1am on Tuesday August 15.

The Grade-II listed building is home to Age Concern Central Lancashire, a local charity providing services to elderly people in need of help.

Executive Director for Age Concern CL, Iain Pearson, said: “This is the second time recently that someone has tried to take lead off of the porch.

“We’re now having to use charitable funds, that should be for those in need, to repair the building.”

Age Concern is in the process of passing on CCTV footage of the incident to the police.

Criminal damage to Arkwright House during the charity’s tenure there has not been restricted to targeting the porch’s lead roof.

Iain Pearson told the Post that they’ve also had graffiti vandalism, which can still be seen on the side of the building.

Arkwright House was the place where renouned Prestonian Richard Arkwright lived in 1768 whilst he developed the Water Frame, a water-powered frame to create cotton.

Lancashire Police have confirmed that inquiries are ongoing. Anyone with any information can contact them on 101 quoting crime reference number FA1712821.