Chelmsford Diocese in Essex was the worst-hit place in the UK
Ecclesiastical Insurance said more than 2,500 claims were made in 2011 for metal theft, surpassing the previous highest figure of more than 2,400 in 2008.
According to a survey carried out by the UK’s top church insurer, there is growing public support for tougher legislation on metal theft.
The survey suggested that two-thirds of UK adults were in favour of changing the law to make it harder for criminals to sell stolen lead and other metals to scrap dealers.
John Coates, Ecclesiastical’s direct insurance services director, said: “2011 has been a very tough year, with incidents of metal theft from churches becoming virtually endemic.
“If there is any light at the end of the tunnel, it’s the groundswell of public awareness of the problem this year and the growing sense of outrage.
“We believe it’s important that the government takes note of this mood and takes immediate action to tighten up the law.”
Chelmsford Diocese in Essex was the worst-hit place in the UK. Ecclesiastical says the dioceses of Lincoln and Lichfield in the Midlands were the second- and third-worst affected.
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