Six churches a day plundered by gangs selling lead to China

Six churches a day are being targeted to meet the soaring demand for lead and copper, particularly in China.

Insurers have received more than 2,100 claims amounting to £7.5million over the past 12 months.

In 2005, there were 80 claims involving a total of £330,000.

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Lead roofing is the usual plunder but statues, church bells and copper lightning conductors are also being taken.

Experts say there is a direct link between the thefts and the boom in metal prices, driven by rapid growth in Asian economies.

One church in eight has been affected, with rural areas most commonly affected because there are likely to be fewer witnesses around.

One of the worst affected regions is Norfolk and Suffolk, where 40 have been targeted this year, up from one in 2006.

But city churches are being hit, too - some London dioceses are seeing six raids a month.

The figures were released yesterday by Ecclesiastical Insurance, which covers 95 per cent of Anglican churches.

It described the raids as "intense and very well organised" and warned that premiums might have to increase next year.

Spokesman Chris Pitt said: "We've never seen a trend like this affecting our churches before. It is the worst in our history and the future of our churches is at stake.

"The demand for metals is worldwide and because of the volume that is being taken we have to assume that the majority of it is going abroad. Prices have shot up. There is a direct correlation with the increase in thefts and the local parish church is paying the price."

He added: "These are not opportunist thieves as churches are pretty savvy about how to protect against them. These are organised criminals and they are getting away with tons of material."

Lead was used in church roofs because it is very water resistant, particularly in exposed conditions. It is still used today despite the expense because heritage organisations insist like must be replaced with like.

The gangs use pulling equipment to wrench lead roofs and metal fittings off the churches and drive their haul away in trucks.

Often they will return to target the same churches after they have been restored.

Members of the public often fail to report the crimes because they think repair work is being carried out.

Ecclesiastical Insurance is now supplying churches with a special chemical marker, called SmartWater, which is daubed on metal. Each batch is unique and allows recovered metal to be traced back to its owners.

But Mr Pitt added: "While there are protective measures that churches can take such as anti-climb paint, CCTV and SmartWater, no amount of deterrents will stop the most determined thieves.

"We are relying on communities to rally round and keep an eye on churches."

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The roof of St Mary's Church in Redenhall, Norfolk, was stripped recently, at a cost of £10,000.

Its vicar, the Rev Clive Hudson, said: "We are all very sad about it but not entirely surprised. There has been a spate of these across the area."

A Church of England spokesman said: "It is a concern that people feel churches are a target. We are grateful that Ecclesiastical Insurance is making the SmartWater scheme available."