“NOTHING is sacred any more” says a Kidderminster deacon as Wyre Forest Churches take security measures to reverse an escalation in metal thefts.

As the price and demand for metal has risen, churches across the district have fallen victim to increased numbers of raids.

West Mercia Police reported 14 lead thefts from Wyre Forest churches in 2010, and the figure rose to 17 in 2011.

Clergy pray that this year their clampdown will be the final nail in the coffin for the shocking crime.

“It seems church buildings are deemed fair game for those wanting to make a a few quid,” said Graham Knight, deacon at Milton Hall Baptist Church. Thieves ripped eight feet of lightning conductor from the Lorne Street building last month.

Often, the damage caused when the offenders strike costs more than the metal to replace.

When lead with a scrap value of about £200 was stolen from Kidderminster’s St Mary’s, repair work totalled more than £15,000.

The main church insurer, Ecclesiastical, has had to set a maximum of £5,000 a year per church in settling claims for metal theft.

Police Inspector Paul Crowley said: “Metal thefts in general are an ongoing problem nationwide due to the continuing high price of metals and demand on the world market.

“Here in Wyre Forest, we have liaised with churches to advise them on security improvements such as the installation of CCTV cameras and use of forensic coding solutions – Smart Water being one example – which can help us to bring prosecutions once stolen property is traced back to its owners.”

For their repairs, churches such as St Peter’s in Arley and St Mary’s in Kidderminster have used alternatives to lead, which are less valuable and so less attractive to thieves.

They include alloy-coated or stainless steel and synthetic materials based on rubber or fibreglass.

The action seems to be working, with police receiving only four reports of theft or attempted theft from Wyre Forest churches so far this year.

The Church of England’s church buildings council is lobbying the Government for better regulations of scrap yards.

Meanwhile, Wyre Forest’s MP, Mark Garnier, has become vice-chairman of all party parliamentary group for metal theft.

Church left with £80,000 bill after metal raiders strike