SILVER worth more than £500,000 was stolen from churches across the country in 2024, as thieves moved away from stripping off roof lead, the Church of England’s insurer Ecclesiastical reports.
In some cases, criminals used explosives to force open safes, stained-glass windows were smashed, and heavy oak doors were forced open with angle grinders, the insurer said this week. It is urging PCCs to review their safety measures.
Sherborne Abbey, in Dorset, was targeted in August. Thieves stole silver items worth an estimated £90,000, including a processional cross, two virges, and a bishop’s crosier, causing significant damage, and distress to the church community.
The Rector of the Abbey, the Revd Martin Lee, said: “One thing is quite clear: they cased the joint, as it were, beforehand. The Abbey is open every day, and they would have had a warm welcome from the people on the door. They were cared for as they came in, when we now know that their intention was to see how they could steal from us.”
Holy Trinity, Bradford on Avon, a 12th-century Grade I listed church, lost a silver plate, chalices, and other sacred items.
The church-operations director at Ecclesiastical, Helen Richards, said of the trend: “It’s appalling. . . Many of the items stolen are irreplaceable and have both historical and sentimental importance. This loss of heritage and the impact on the church and its community is devastating.”
Often, the items were “irreplaceable”, having been donated to the church or being several hundred years old. “There is a real risk the economic challenges in the UK and high value of silver could see an increase in thefts from historical buildings such as churches,” she warned. “So we’re urging churches across the country to take steps to protect themselves and follow our guidance.”
The advice for churches, from Ecclesiastical’s risk-management team, includes:
- installing electronic security protection, such as intruder alarms;
- using high-quality modern safes with a Euro rating between 0 and 7, which are permanently fixed;
- security-marking and recording items in the church inventory;
- keeping portable valuable items in a secure area, the safe, or in a locked vestry when not in use, or, where this is not possible, considering keeping items at the home of a church member (which would be covered by Ecclesiastical); and
- encouraging the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
For more information, visit ecclesiastical.com or phone the risk advice line, 0345 6007531, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
