A SIGNICANT number of police forces in the UK have failed to respond to a Freedom of Information (FoI) request about the number of thefts from churches – but South Wales Police (SWP) were one of the forces that did so.
The FoI was made by the Countryside Alliance made the request and it revealed that in Wales 487 crimes have been recorded at churches and places of worship from the start of 2022 until the end of 2024. There were 183 in Gwent, 120 in south Wales and 184 in north Wales.
A Countryside Alliance spokesperson said: “Sadly, the true number of church crimes in Wales will be even higher, as Dyfed Powys Police refused to respond to the FOI request.”
South Wales Police responded in full to the request. In total, 120 crimes were recorded at churches in the area. This includes 57 thefts, of which 12 related to lead, 57 cases of criminal damage, and six cases of violence.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs at the Countryside Alliance said: “These figures bring into stark relief the devastating fact that many churches and places of worship are being treated as easy targets by criminals.
“We cannot allow these precious places, which are often the centre of villages and towns in Wales and across the country, to go unguarded and be so exposed.
“Easy access to protective funding schemes is of the greatest importance, but it is just as vital that members of the public keep an ever-watchful eye on churches and report suspicious behaviour to police.
“Irrespective of faith or none, churches are more than just community buildings, they are often part of our centuries-old history and heritage. They must be protected.”
On a UK-wide basis, 43 police forces out of 45 responded to the requests, with 33 providing figures. Essex Police and Thames Valley Police did not respond to the request at all. Wiltshire Police, Dyed Powys Police, Derbyshire Police, Cheshire Police, Avon & Somerset Police, Devon & Cornwall Police, Durham Police, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Police, Metropolitan Police and Police Scotland all refused to answer the request and thus did not provide any figures.
By Philip Irwin – Senior Reporter
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