More than 9,000 crimes have been reported at churches across Britain in just three years, it has been revealed. There were 9,148 records of theft, burglary, criminal damage, vandalism and assault from January 2022 to December 2024, according to figures obtained by the Countryside Alliance using Freedom of Information requests.

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the campaign group, said: “Horrific attacks on churches and places of worship continue to happen all across the country. Thieves and criminals treat them as easy targets, brazenly stealing from and causing criminal damage to these focal points of our communities.

“Churches and places of worship are the beating heart of many rural towns and villages. They are meant to be places of sanctity, solace, and refuge. Increasingly, however, they seem to be being subjected to awful acts of crime on a regular basis.

"We cannot allow these cherished places to continue to be unprotected against the machinations of criminals – it is vital that the public keep a watchful eye and report any issues to the police.”

Some 179 lead and metal thefts were recorded, along with 3,758 other thefts and burglaries, 3,237 incidents of criminal damage, vandalism and arson, and 1,974 cases of violence.

The worst-hit areas were West Yorkshire, with 1,121 crimes recorded, followed by Kent with 655 and Greater Manchester with 642.

The figures were obtained by the Countryside Alliance as part of its campaign to focus attention on rural churches and increase funding for security at places of worship.

A Church of England spokeswoman said: "Our churches play such a crucial role in providing spiritual, pastoral and practical support to their local communities, helped by our wonderful volunteers.

"A crime committed at a church is a real setback, not just for its congregation, but for all those who benefit from its presence in their community."

Assistant Chief Constable Rachel Nolan, National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Heritage Crime, said: “Stealing from, or damaging any places of worship, historic buildings and cultural sites is abhorrent.

“Churches are important to many communities across the country and these crimes directly impact people who visit, worship and enjoy those spaces. They are attacks on our national and local heritage, and can cause irreplaceable damage.

“We are committed to tackling this issue and our heritage crime officers across the country will continue to work with partners to reduce offending and raise awareness about the long-lasting damage heritage crime can have. We ask everyone to report anything suspicious online, via 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and have some great Heritage Watch schemes across the country people can join.”