Thieves steal copper gutters from the protected St. Martin's Church in Ghent, right next to the police station

Thieves have stolen copper gutters and downpipes from the Sint-Martinuskerk in Ekkergem, Gent. The theft was discovered two weeks ago, but it is believed to have occurred earlier. The church is considering replacing the copper with zinc, although this requires further investigation due to potential corrosion issues. The police are looking into the incident, which is unusual given the church's proximity to a police station. The parish is responsible for the costs, which could amount to thousands of euros, as insurance does not cover theft risks for such buildings. Experts will be consulted to find a suitable solution.