Tell neighbours to be vigilant, install low fences and plant defensive shrubs and bushes around the perimeter of your property. This is what insurance companies are telling the churches as their insurance claims have rocketed in recent years now to a staggering £25 million; one in six churches is currently making claims. Thieves are breaking into churches and stealing almost anything from the lead, stainless steel and copper from the roofs, church bells, water pipes, lawn mowers, iron gates and even lighting.

Insurance companies have urged the church owners to ask locals to watch out and report any unusual behaviour in a bid to reduce their chances of being targeted.

Due to the majority of churches being listed buildings, they have to replace any lead if it has been stolen. Thieves have taken advantage of this law by simply waiting for the lead to be replaced only to steal it again.

But it isn't just the churches being targeted for their metal. Homes around the country are having their metal stolen with thieves stealing lead and even drain covers which is later sold in the black market. The metals black market is believed to cost the UK around £360 million a year according to experts.

Try to avoid becoming another statistic on the black market metal scandal by taking extra steps. Securing all external metals firmly, applying anti climb paint on drains or even moving your wheelie bin to the back of your property as thieves use this to transport any stolen metals.

Making a claim on your home insurance due to someone climbing up your drain to steal your drain cover would be disappointing to say the least so try to follow a couple of these pointers.



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