ABOUT £500 worth of roof leading was stolen from the Cinderford Co-op, according to town council chairman Graham Morgan.
Police have confirmed that security guards at the store caught two people on the roof in the early hours of Monday. They alerted the store manager and gave chase, but lost the trespassers on Meadow Lane.
The following night a large quantity of metal was taken from the Co-op's roof.
Coun Morgan told fellow town councillors on Tuesday night he was sure the thieves had come back to strip the lead, which can sell for up to £1,100 a tonne.
CCTV footage of both incidents will be crucial in catching the suspects.
"If people are moving about with trucks and lead the cameras will be sure to pick them up," said Coun Morgan, whose son works at the store.