Thousands of people put in hours of work every week to protect Britain’s historic buildings and monuments. But without 24/7 security on the doors, there is always the chance of damage being caused.
A tree falling or a lightning strike is one thing. But when the damage is caused by human activity, frustration levels can go through the roof (no pun intended...).
You can contemplate and discuss the morals and motivations of those out there who target historic buildings till the cows come home. While obviously unjustifiable, at least when it comes to lead theft there’s a reason for the activity to take place. People are looking for a quick way to make some cash and care not for the consequences of their actions.
Arson and vandalism on the other hand seem to defy logic. But they happen, and a recent report has shed some light on these trends with a focus on Britain’s historical churches.
The Extent of Arson Problems
Ecclesiastical Insurance has released a report highlighting the true scale of arson attacks on churches in the UK, with more than 150 suffering attacks in the past five years.
The report shows that almost every county in England has a church that has suffered an arson attack, with millions of pounds worth of damage collectively caused.
In December 2020, the Grade I listed All Saints Church in Mackworth, Derbyshire, was completely gutted by an arson attack. Thankfully, a rebuild of this church is now underway.
A church close to my base in Leicester City Centre has also been affected. Also named All Saints, an arson attack took place on a side door in April 2020. This Grade I listed church is currently under the ownership of the Churches Conservation Trust, and has recently hosted an excellent Van Gogh Immersive Experience exhibition.
What’s behind the problem?
One challenge churches face with regards to arson compared to lead theft for example is the sporadic nature of the crime.
Rather than being carried out by organised groups, arson is frequently a solo act done seemingly at random.
Speculating on motives, you can consider anything from boredom to wanton disregard for religious buildings as being behind such attacks. Each case will be different. But the problem remains apparent. As such, those involved with maintaining churches in England must do what they can to alleviate the risk of such attacks affecting their churches.
What can be done?
The central question here is how to get one step ahead of any would-be arsonists and prevent such attacks from causing the kind of devastating damage seen at All Saints in Mackworth.
Security is an obvious first step, with locked doors, windows and gates all a must when the church is not in use.
Alarms and lighting can also be advantageous here. Fire alarms, intruder alarms and security lighting are all potential deterrents. CCTV is another great way to put arsonists off targeting a building.
Reporting anything suspicious to police, including any small pieces of damage, can also be beneficial and bring attention to the possibility of further crimes.
Additionally, being vigilant with regards to fire risk assessments and fire safety can establish a solid foundation against arson attacks.
Sadly it’s impossible to completely rule out the risk of arson. But maintaining Britain’s historic churches is an important responsibility, so taking steps to prevent attacks taking place can only be a positive. I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog. If you are on the lookout for a freelance copywriter or freelance historical researcher, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I can be reached via hello@carduelischr.com.
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