New data from Sussex Police, covering the years 2022 to 2024, reveal alarming crime rates targeting churches and religious sites within the county. Obtained by the Countryside Alliance as part of its campaign to highlight the vulnerability of rural places of worship, the figures show a total of 145 reported thefts, coupled with numerous cases of criminal damage, violence, and arson.
Of the 145 thefts recorded, 12 involved lead, a common target due to its value as a metal. Most thefts—100 in total—occurred inside churches or religious buildings, while 23 took place in churchyards and 17 in cemeteries. In addition to theft, Sussex experienced 257 reported incidents of criminal damage and 165 cases of violence within these sacred spaces. Arson was also reported, with 10 cases in churches and religious buildings and a further three in churchyards. These unsettling statistics place Sussex among the ten worst-affected regions in England for crimes involving places of worship.
Several individual cases have highlighted the extent of the problem across Sussex. In 2023, valuable organ pipes were stolen from St John The Divine Church in Patching, a Grade I listed building. The theft led to significant damage, with repair and replacement costs running into thousands of pounds. Vandals have repeatedly targeted St Nicolas Church in Shoreham, also Grade I listed, where in recent years they have caused damage to Victorian windows, amounting to approximately £2,000 last year alone following multiple break-ins in 2020 and 2021.
Serious criminal acts have also occurred on church grounds. Last month, a man was arrested on suspicion of sexual assault and kidnapping near St Andrew and St Cuthman Church in Steyning. The previous month, a significant theft of religious items including large candlesticks and Churchwarden staffs took place at St Mary’s Church in East Grinstead.
The Countryside Alliance’s director of external affairs, Mo Metcalf-Fisher, commented on the findings: “These figures bring into stark relief the devastating fact that many churches and places of worship are being treated as easy targets by criminals. These are supposed to be places of refuge and tranquillity, where people go to worship or seek solace—but all too often they are being subjected to heinous crimes, either in or on their property.”
She further highlighted the seriousness of the situation in Sussex, stating: “It is particularly saddening to see that Sussex is one of the worst-affected regions in the entire country. We cannot allow these precious places, which are often the centre of villages and towns across the country, to go unguarded and be so exposed.”
Metcalf-Fisher emphasised the need for increased funding and public vigilance, saying: “Easy access to protective funding schemes is of the greatest importance, but it is just as vital that members of the public keep an ever-watchful eye on churches and report suspicious behaviour to police.”
The Countryside Alliance also expressed hope for legislative progress, supporting moves by some Parliamentarians to develop a new aggravated offence related to the loss or damage of heritage assets. “Irrespective of faith or none, churches are more than just community buildings, they are often part of our centuries-old history and heritage. They must be protected,” Metcalf-Fisher affirmed.
The current data and ongoing reports of crime underscore the continuing challenge faced by rural churches and highlight the multifaceted nature of threats confronting these historic and community landmarks across Sussex.
Source: Noah Wire Services