Crime epidemic: Our historical rural churches are facing a raft of threats
Just to prove that life goes on, but not always in a good way, this article reminds us of one unpleasant aspect of rural life. I think the churches across the land will see an upsurge in visitors, even though there will be no services for them to experience.
This month a 300-year-old bell was stolen from the tiny 15th-century Bremilham Church, Wiltshire. The 12ft-sq Grade II-listed chapel, hidden away in a farmyard, was targeted despite being the smallest in the country still in use.
Rural churches are facing a crime epidemic. Recent figures from Historic England show nearly half have fallen victim to pilfering, with the nationwide repair bill running into millions.
As the price of scrap metal has soared, professional gangs have moved in, according to the National Crime Agency, sometimes using sophisticated technology, including drones, to plan heists and getaways. The NCA also reports offenders becoming more violent. Burglars recently smashed up 900-year-old Pendock Old Church in Worcs, including the church’s organ once played by composer Sir Edward Elgar.
Some 37 churches a month have valuable lead ripped from their roofs.
In one example, 20 tons of lead was removed from the Grade I-listed All Saints’ in Houghton Conquest, Bedfordshire, costing £400,000 to replace. Another Wiltshire church, St Peter’s in Stourton which dates to 1290, had its roof stolen a second time after the local community had raised £160,000 to restore it.
The Church Conservation Trust says raids on its at-risk properties have soared by 75 percent. It’s not just the roofs either. Historic England says thieves are taking guttering, downpipes and even lightning conductors, as well as stone walling and paving.