The incidents in Runnymede have seen a school targeted twice, and lead removed from the garage of a residential home.

People have been urged to report any suspicious activity near large buildings, and domestic dwellings.

"If your roof is easily accessible it may be worth thinking about restricting access," a spokesman said.

'Huge misery'

He said metal thefts were becoming more common with the present world-wide rise in the price of raw materials.

He added that there had been lead thefts in Chertsey, but it was "a nationwide problem and a source of huge inconvenience and misery for anyone affected".

Officers found a large amount of lead flashing at the back of the library in Guildford Street, Chertsey, he said.