Churches hit by thieves
SHEFFIELD churches have been hardest hit by a spate of copper and lead thefts that have caused church insurance claims to rocket, figures show.
More than 3.5 million worth of insurance claims have been lodged by Church of England parishes so far this year, according to specialist insurance company Ecclesiastical Insurance.
And the worst-hit area has been the Sheffield diocese.
The Star reported yesterday that "despicable" thieves had stolen a bronze plaque from a church war memorial in Beigh-ton - the latest in a scourge of metal thefts from churches around South Yorkshire.
Rising worldwide prices for metal have been blamed for the huge increase in the number of mainly lead and copper thefts.
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