EVERY DAY A CHURCH IS STRIPPED OF ITS METALS
Ecclesiastical Insurance, the UK’s leading church insurer, has received more than 300 claims for theft of external metals from churches over the past 12 months*.
The thefts of lead, copper and other metals – from roofs, guttering and lightning conductors – are prompted by the rising price of these materials.
It’s not just the cost of replacing the materials that is the problem, thieves have also torn holes in roofs causing them to leak and ripped stonework away from pinnacles and towers. Yet the thieves get a fraction of the cost for scrap.
John Coates, Ecclesiastical’s Church Insurance Manager, said: “We highlighted this problem last year in an effort to stop the problem, but it only seems to be getting worse. We don’t insist on costly anti-theft measures, but in some cases they are the last defence we have. The real solution is for communities to rally round their churches, keeping an eye out and refusing to let thieves steal from under our noses.”
He offers this important advice for churches to prevent theft of metals:
- Make friends with your neighbours – they’re the very best people to keep an eye out.
- Consider anti-climb paint, CCTV, intruder alarms or security lighting if your church is particularly at risk.
- Restrict vehicle access and remove ladders – make the thieves’ job harder.
- Where possible, replace with less expensive materials to make sure there’s no incentive for the thieves to re-visit (The replacement of stolen roof material will require faculty approval. A change of materials may also require consultation with English Heritage on a listed church building, and planning permission if it affects the external appearance.)
For more information or advice, churches can contact their local Ecclesiastical insurance surveyor by calling 0845 777 3322.
For further information please contact:
Chris Pitt, Press Officer, Ecclesiastical Insurance Group
Beaufort House
Brunswick Road
Gloucester
GL1 1JZ
Telephone: 01452 334984
Email: pressoffice@eigmail.com
Visit www.ecclesiastical.com
Notes to editors:
*These figures are taken from Anglican churches Ecclesiastical insurers.
