This year, parishes can apply for grants that fund up to 50% of the installation costs for a roof alarm on their church building.
Most insurance companies (including Ecclesiastical) limit claims related to theft of lead if parishes do not have appropriate roof alarms fitted to their church buildings. This can leave a significant financial shortfall. Parishes are urged to check their insurance cover arrangements, and to consider installing a roof alarm.
The Allchurches Trust, owners of Ecclesiastical Insurance Group, are offering grants to parishes, which fund up to 50% of the cost of the alarm (up to a maximum of £2,500). This scheme has now been extended until the end of 2021.
Following the successful prosecution of an organised gang of thieves who stole metal from church roofs across the country, Ecclesiastical Insurance and Historic England have recently reiterated their advice to churches on preventative steps to take.
“Measures including installing security lights, CCTV, roof alarms and marking metal with a forensic security marking systems such as Smartwater have all been proven to help reduce the threat of crime”.
