Metal theft collapses Salford care home ceiling

A ceiling in a Salford nursing home has collapsed, narrowly missing a resident, after an attempted theft of metal from the building's roof.

Thieves trying to steal lead lining damaged roofing slates at Swinton Hall Care Home causing a leak, Greater Manchester Police said.

Water poured into the room of a 64-year-old female resident on Tuesday and partially collapsed the ceiling.

Sgt Peter Crane said the occupant "could have been seriously injured".

'Ham-fisted attempt'

A kitchen, gym and another bedroom were also damaged by the leak at the home on Worsley Road, which cares for over 60 people.

Police believe the attempted theft took place between 21:00 BST on Thursday, 12 April and 08:00 BST on Tuesday.

Sgt Crane said: "The woman has had to be moved out of her room, along with her belongings, until the damage can be repaired and all this is thanks to the ham-fisted attempts of thieves desperate to get their hands on metal.

"Luckily the water poured on to the floor rather than directly on to the woman as she slept, and even more luckily the ceiling itself did not completely collapse otherwise this woman could have been seriously injured.

"What this incident also shows is how dangerous metal theft can be.

"It is not a victimless crime by any stretch of the imagination, and the hazards are very real."