Devizes police have appealed for witnesses to the theft of lead from the roof of the Assize Courts building in Northgate Street.

It is thought the lead was taken from either end of the roof some time over the weekend, although the theft was not discovered until Monday afternoon.

The value of the metal stolen is not known but its loss will affect the weatherproofing of the building.

A spokesman for Wiltshire Council said: “We are currently discussing the recent theft of lead with the local agent with the aim of ensuring efforts are made to make the building weather tight.”

The Grade II* listed building dating from 1835 has been a bone of contention between the owner, Dubai-based businessman Suleiman Dockrat, and the local council.

The former Kennet District Council frequently issued orders to the owner to keep the building weatherproof.

The building closed as a court complex in the early 1980s and was sold to a local developer, who failed to get planning permission for flats there. It has been in several ownerships since but has continued to deteriorate.

Local councillors and representatives of Devizes Development Partnership and the Trust for Devizes have lobbied Mr Dockrat to either develop the property or sell it to the council.

Mr Dockrat has so far refused to do either, despite having planning permission to convert the building to flats.

Ted East, chairman of the Trust for Devizes, said: “The trust has been looking at the situation and exploring avenues of working in conjunction with Wiltshire Council to find funds to purchase the building if the owner is ever willing to sell it.”

Anyone who witnessed suspicious activity near the courts building is asked to contact Devizes police on 0845 408 7000.