SILVER price greater 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 price 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 kind of clear: they cased the joint, because it were, beforehand. The Abbey is open daily, and they might have had a warm welcome from the people on the door. They were cared for as they got here in, once we now know that their intention was to see how they may steal from us.”
Holy Trinity, Bradford on Avon, a Twelfth-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 each historical and mawkish importance. This lack 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 an actual risk the economic challenges within the UK and high value of silver could see a rise in thefts from historical buildings equivalent to churches,” she warned. “So we’re urging churches across the country to take steps to guard themselves and follow our guidance.”
The advice for churches, from Ecclesiastical’s risk-management team, includes:
- installing electronic security protection, equivalent to intruder alarms;
- using high-quality modern safes with a Euro rating between 0 and seven, that are permanently fixed;
- security-marking and recording items within the church inventory;
- keeping portable invaluable items in a secure area, the secure, or in a locked vestry when not in use, or, where this will not be possible, considering keeping items at the house of a church member (which could 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 chance advice line, 0345 6007531, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
