Churches targeted by criminals

Date published: 23/12/2007

Church of England buildings are being targeted by vandals, arsonists and thieves on a unprecedented scale. In the past week St Thomas Church in Newhey has been gutted in a blaze started by arsonists and Manchester Cathedral has had a dozen windows smashed and an attempted burglary, this time unsuccessful, though in October thieves successfully gained access to the Cathedral after smashing a stained glass window, they then stole the contents of a collection box.

The Catholic Church is not immune to the problem, Father Paul Daly of St Joseph's, Heywood said: "Churches are being targeted by criminals ranging from those determined to cause hassle, annoyance and, even worse, damage even to the tragic extent at St Thomas' to those who are out to steal and even to assault.

"Sadly, nothing seems to be sacred anymore. The people of Newhey must be devastated."
 
The continued targeting of churches is causing serious financial worries as inevitably insurance premiums rise inexorably and congregations already struggling to find enough money to cover day-to-day running costs and upkeep and maintenance of buildings find they are stretched beyond the limit by the premiums.

The costs of the Cathedral have risen to £50,000 in recent years. As the Cathedral has to meet all its own building costs, the sums involved mean that the Cathedral has to find a solution to the problem.

David Marshall, spokesman for the Cathedral, said: "We hope the police, local businesses and the Council might be able to see security around the Cathedral as part of a wider issue. The Cathedral is surrounded by four busy pubs and the immediate grounds are open to the public 24 hours a day. We are not sure if the lighting needs improving, if it is a police patrol issue, or a wider security problem in the area. This is why we are hoping to have the security summit early in January."