POLICE have joined forces with a school in a high- tech bid to stop a spate of lead thefts from the site.

Officers are working with staff at Helmshore Primary School, Gregory Fold, which was hit by two lead thefts over the weekend.

They have protected the building with a crime prevention fluid to deter thieves and make any stolen lead easier to trace.

If successful, other schools in the Pennine Division, which also covers Pendle and Burnley, could benefit from similar action.

PC Maggie Whitehead, of Rossendale Police, said they were trying to make the building as secure as possible. She added: “One of the things we’ve done is supply the school with stocks of a high-tech greasy fluid called SelectaDNA to cover leaded areas.

“The fluid is invisible to the naked eye, but will transfer to the skin, or clothes, of any thief and remain on them for weeks.

“If they are then subsequently stopped by police and taken into custody, UV lights will clearly show the Selecta-DNA, giving us evidence to help secure a prosecution.”

Officers are also stepping up patrols in the area.

PC Whitehead said: “We hope that by stepping up patrols and raising the risk of thieves being caught, we can call a halt to lead theft at the school. It is a serious offence and can cause a great deal of inconvenience.”

Headteacher Christine Myers said: “We had two incidents of quite large lead thefts over the weekend, which have left quite a bit of damage. The police have responded really quickly and have been excellent, so hopefully we won’t have any more problems.”