Panic as Britain's churches hit by horror spate of crimes including £90,000 silver heist

Britain's churches have been hit by a string of targeted attacks including arson and a £97,000 silver heist, as concerning figures point to a growing trend.

The Countryside Alliance, an organsation that aims to "Give Rural Britian a voice" has revealed that between 2022 and 2024, more than 9,000 crimes have been commited on church property and other religious premises. The group made Freedom of Information (FOI) requestes to all of the nation's 45 territorial , with 33 providing them with worrying figures.

Upon investigating the data showed that there were 9,148 records of theft, burglary, , vandalism, and assault from January 2022 to December 2024. Based on the results, that would mean over the three-year period, churches were victim to at least eight crimes everyday. The investigation comes as part of the Countryside Alliance's continous campaign to focus on rural churches and increase funding for security at .

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance said: "Horrific attacks on churches and places of worship continue to happen all across the country. Thieves and criminals treat them as easy targets, brazenly stealing from and causing criminal damage to these focal points of our communities.

"Churches and places of worship are the beating heart of many rural towns and villages. They are meant to be places of sanctity, solace, and refuge. Increasingly, however, they seem to be being subjected to awful acts of crime on a regular basis.

"We cannot allow these cherished places to continue to be unprotected against the machinations of criminals - it is vital that the public keep a watchful eye and report any issues to the police."

West Yorkshire was found to be the worst hit area with a huge 1,121 crimes recorded. Kent followed with 655 crimes, and then was reported with 642.

Crimes last year involved the theft of a "priceless" 140-year old bronze eagle lectern in Edgabston, £90,000 worth of silver items at a Sherborne Abbey church, and even arson, where three teenagers in Hartlepool were charged for setting ablaze the Grade II listed Wesley Chapel.

A spokeswoman said: "Our churches play such a crucial role in providing spiritual, pastoral and practical support to their local communities, helped by our wonderful volunteers. A crime committed at a church is a real setback, not just for its congregation, but for all those who benefit from its presence in their community."

The Country Alliance has called on the Government to "extend and guarantee" funding and promotion of the Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme, provided free of charge by the Home Office, in aims to protect places of worship and connected community centres in both England and Wales.

The National Police Chiefs' Council has said they are "committed to tackling this issue" and remains working with partners. The authorities urge anyone who sees anything suspicious to report it online, via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers. People can also join Hertitage Watch schemes across the country.