Metal Theft

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spread of metal theft from churches is alarming. In 2005 there were five metal theft claims worth £7,000 in the Greater Manchester area. In 2007, churches in area made over 110 claims for theft of mainly lead from roofs. The total cost of these claims exceeded £250,000. Nationally, a massive £7.6 million was spent on 2,200 metal theft claims in 2007.

The Church and Ecclesiastical Insurance have been only too aware of the rise in metal thefts in recent years, but for many people the issue is still a relatively new one.

In 2007 Ecclesiastical put together a practical initiative to help churches combat metal theft. Working with the police, they launched SmartWater.

SmartWater is a non-hazardous liquid which contains a unique forensic code. Churches received their own unique SmartWater code meaning marked items can be irrefutably traced back to the owner, and criminals coming into contact with SmartWater can be linked with the crime scene. The solution is invisible under normal light, but glows brightly under UV light making it easily identifiable by the police.

All churches should apply the SmartWater they received and make sure it is registered. Visit www.BeatMetalTheft.org for more details.

EIG have also been educating scrap metal dealers about the implications of buying stolen metal in a bid to make it harder for thieves to sell it on.

There have been encouraging signs at Ecclesiastical where the level of claims has started to fall. However, this is the beginning of a much longer struggle
and everybody must continue doing everything they can to combat this crime.

What can you do to help protect your church from metal theft?

 Ecclesiastical recommends a wide range of security measures to combat metal thefts: 

  • Make friends with your neighbours – they’re the very best people to keep an eye out.
  • Consider anti-climb paint, CCTV, intruder alarms or security lighting if your church is particularly at risk.
  • Restrict vehicle access and remove ladders – make the thieves’ job harder.
  • Where possible, replace with less expensive materials to make sure there’s no incentive for the thieves to re-visit.

 

The replacement of stolen roof material will require faculty approval. A change of materials may also require consultation with English Heritage on a listed church building, and planning permission if it affects the external appearance.)

For more information

Manchester Diocese campaign website www.BeatMetalTheft.org  

Visit www.ecclesiastical.com/theftofmetal for more guidance and to download posters to make people more aware of metal theft.

For the latest information and guidance on the theft of metal including lead theft from church roofs visit www.churchcare.co.uk/building.php?CDOD.

Congregational Insurance Co has a website about lead theft from church buildings at www.ChurchAlert.co.uk.

English Heritage metal theft guidance.