Thieves are increasingly targeting churches in the UK, stealing silver worth over £500,000 last year. Instead of traditional targets like roof lead, criminals are now after 'priceless historical and religious artefacts', potentially driven by the rising price of silver. Ecclesiastical, the Church of England's insurer, urges churches to install security measures to protect themselves from this worrying new trend.
Last year, thieves stole silver worth over £500,000 from churches across the country, marking a shift from traditional targets like roof lead. Criminals employed increasingly sophisticated methods, smashing stained-glass windows, forcing open heavy oak doors with angle grinders, and even utilizing explosives to breach safes. In August, Sherborne Abbey in Dorset experienced a theft of silver items estimated at £90,000, including a bishop's crosier.
The Rector, the Rev Martin Lee, suspects the thieves had conducted reconnaissance beforehand. Similarly, in April, Holy Trinity Church in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, suffered the loss of silver plates, chalices, and other sacred objects.Ecclesiastical, the Church of England's insurer, has issued an urgent call for clergy to install security measures like CCTV cameras and burglar alarms. They note that while churches have long been targeted for their copper and lead roofs, the recent trend involves the pilfering of 'priceless historical and religious artefacts'. The rising price of silver, according to data from the Royal Mint, may be driving this worrying new trend. Helen Richards, church-operations director at Ecclesiastical, condemned the thieves for their 'zero regard for the impact they have,' emphasizing the irreplaceable and deeply significant nature of the stolen items. She expressed concern that economic challenges and the high value of silver could lead to an increase in thefts from historical buildings like churches, urging churches nationwide to take proactive steps to safeguard themselves.
Silver Theft Churches Historical Artifacts Security Crime Trend
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