POLICE are asking people to be vigilant after the thefts of a number of peg tiles from church roofs in Kent villages.

The warning comes after three incidents in the Mid Kent area. Thieves have climbed on to the roofs of churches in East Sutton, Sutton Valence and Harrietsham, and stolen a quality of peg tiles.

Officers believe the thieves may be getting away with it because people in the area assume they are legitimately working on a church roof.

Crime reduction officer John Grant said:

“These thieves are being very overt in their actions, and naturally, people assume they are workers repairing the roofs as opposed to thieves stealing tiles from them."

He stressed: "We would just ask members of the public to be vigilant and to ensure churches in the area are told if people are seen on the roofs. If anyone actually witnesses tiles being stolen, they should call the police immediately.”