Church arson attacks highlighting threats to country’s heritage

THE plight of a historic church in the centre of Leicester has been highlighted in a new report on how arson attacks are posing a serious threat to the UK’s heritage.

All Saints Church, pictured, in Highcross Street, has been the target of repeated incidents of arson and vandalism.

The grade I-listed church, thought to be referenced in the 1086 Domesday book, is just one of at least 150 churches across the country to have suffered arson attacks over the past five years.

Those responsible are causing millions of pounds worth of damage to our historic buildings, according to data gathered by a firm specialising in insuring places of worship.

Ecclesiastical Insurance named in their report an incident from April 2020, when a side door at All Saints was set on fire while the church was hosting a digital art exhibition showcasing the work of Vincent Van Gogh.

The following January, burglars broke into the former parish church, which stands near the John Lewis department store car park, by smashing a stained glass window. Once inside, they went on a wrecking spree which caused £10,000 worth of damage.

While the number of overall attacks dropped during the pandemic, Ecclesiastical is warning churches to take urgent action. It believes the risk is greatest over the summer months when arson attacks tend to happen more frequently.

CITY BUILDING TARGETED

The company’s data revealed that almost every county in the country has seen churches targeted by arsonists. Those in London, Lancashire, Yorkshire, Essex and Kent are the worst affected, it said.

Jo Whyman, risk management director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “Unlike theft of metal where organised gangs tend to carry out raids over a large geographical area, arson is often as a result of the actions of an individual and with no clear trends.

“This makes proactive action to protect church buildings even more

important. Our data shows that arson seems to be on the increase again and the impact of these attacks can be truly devastating,” he added.

“It’s horrible to see churches damaged as a result of a fire – particularly at the hands of criminals.

“These buildings are part of the fabric of our society, at the heart of our communities, and have been for centuries.

“Senseless acts by individuals not

only destroy bricks and mortar, but often priceless artefacts that have historical significance to our nation.

Churches are legally required to carry out a fire risk assessment and in doing so they’ll be able to understand the risk of fire – including the risk of an arson attack.

A full list of Ecclesiastical’s arson prevention advice can be found at the company’s website.