Local churches top list of theft claims

MANCHESTER diocese has been named the worst-hit spot in the UK for lead theft from churches.

Research by specialist church insurer Ecclesiastical shows that local churches top the list of metal theft claims with more than 90 recorded up to the end of November.

Oldham has been hit by numerous thefts from church roofs with some places of worship falling victim several times.

The Chronicle reported how Waterhead’s Holy Trinity Church had been targeted by lead thieves five times in two weeks leaving a £12,000 repair bill. It caused major problems with rain gushing though to leave the newly-decorated vestry heavily waterlogged, a wall stained, carpet ruined and an 1881 church organ rendered useless.

St Thomas’s Church, Leesfield, was also struck three times last year with stone slabs as well as lead stolen and windows smashed. The Manchester diocese was closely followed in the list by Lincoln, Chelmsford and Southwark dioceses with more than 70 claims from each, and Lichfield diocese with more than 60 claims. Thefts from the five dioceses amount to more than 25 per cent of all theft of metal incidents in the country.

Overall, 2010 was the third worst year on record for theft of metal from churches with 1,484 claims exceeding £3 million.

John Coates, of Ecclesiastical Direct Insurance said: “It’s been a pretty dire year. But with lead fetching high prices on world markets, it’s not surprising.”