BUNGLING thieves have stolen lead from Cudworth Parish Church - without knowing it has been marked with Smart Water.
It means the thieves will not be able to sell it or use it and the mark will show up even if it is melted down and used for something else.
Parish priest Fr David Nicholson said: "I have been here for 12 years and we have never had this problem before. It's just vandalism by people who don't realise we are getting smarter than they are."
Fr David said lead on most church roofs and belongings were now marked with the substance which shows up under an ultraviolet light.
A sticker in the window states all belongings are marked with it including the silver.
Fr David said the damage was mainly caused to the porch but not a vast majority of the lead had been taken. It was worth about £200.
Anyone with information should call Cudworth Safer Neighbourhood Team.
