Shock rise in fire attacks on churches

Heartless firebugs are causing more than £46,OOO of damage to churches every week.

The attacks have seen irreplaceable antiques, sacred altars and historic pews burnt to cinders.

In the past seven years, churches across the UK have been rocked with a repair bill of almost £17 million after fire raisers struck. Hundreds of historic buildings have been affected.

The shock figures were collated by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical, which indemnifies Anglican, including Scottish Episcopal, churches against everything except acts of God.

The overall costs are likely to be much higher as they do not include Roman Catholic or Church of Scotland properties.

Crispin Truman, of the Churches Conservation Trust, said: “We are horrified by this. It is hard to imagine why someone would do such a thing.

“Unfortunately, as a charity caring for historic churches vandalism is one of many challenges we face.”

Among the churches destroyed by fire raisers in recent years was Neilston Parish Church near Glasgow.

Rev Fiona Maxwell said the vandals, who struck in 2011, not only left the church with a £32,500 repair bill but also devastated the local community.

Also hit just three weeks ago was St Peter’s in Wintringham, North Yorkshire, where vandals set a priceless 17th Century pew alight.

Rev Joe Kinsella said the attack had provoked a lot of anger.

He added: “The church will be fine and will be open again. It’s not very nice, but we deal with these things and carry on.”

Insurance payouts for fire attacks on churches have fallen in the past two years.

But Kevin Thomas, of Ecclesiastical, warned fire raising was still an everyday challenge for churches.

He added: “It is devastating to witness such attacks on our heritage buildings.

“These buildings that have stood the test of time are now damaged by mindless vandals and attacks like this must be taken seriously and stopped.

“We’d all rather prevent these cases from happening in the first place than deal with the sad aftermath, so we’re doing all we can to give advice and guidance to our churches.”