Norfolk churches hit by three crimes every week 

Three crimes were recorded at churches and places of worship in Norfolk every single week last year on average, according to figures obtained by the Countryside Alliance from Norfolk Constabulary.

The Countryside Alliance’s investigation has revealed that in 2025 nearly 4,000 crimes were committed on church property in the UK, an average of ten crimes every day.
 
Norfolk Constabulary responded in full to the Freedom of Information request from the Alliance. It revealed that in total, 146 crimes were recorded at churches and places of worship in Norfolk. This includes 58 thefts, 52 cases of criminal damage, and 36 cases of violence.
 
Figures were obtained by the Countryside Alliance as part of its continuous campaign to focus attention on rural churches and increase funding for places of worship.
 
The figures (from the 37 out of 44 forces that responded with figures) show that there were 3,637 records of theft, burglary, criminal damage, vandalism and assault in 2025. An additional 172 crimes of different categories brings the total recorded crimes to 3,809.
 
58 lead and metal thefts were recorded, along with 1,561 other thefts and burglaries (total thefts and burglaries 1,619), 1,018 incidents of criminal damage, vandalism and arson, and 1000 cases of violence.
 
The worst-hit areas were London, West Yorkshire and Greater Manchester. A total of 109 crimes were recorded at churches and places of worship in Suffolk. This includes 48 thefts, one of which relates to lead, 40 cases of criminal damage, and 21 cases of violence.
 
Mo Metcalf-Fisher, Director of External Affairs at the Countryside Alliance, said: "Across the country, churches and places of worship continue to suffer, as vandals, thieves and other criminals treat them as easy targets.
 
"We cannot allow this to continue. Churches and places of worship are focal points for local communities, particularly in rural towns and villages where they play a crucial role in combatting isolation. It is vital that the public keep a watchful eye and report any issues to the police.
 
"At the same time as it appears crime is going up, funding is going down. The government has this year imposed VAT on church repairs, increasing costs for hard-pressed and vulnerable churches while at the same time refusing to increase funding in line with inflation. It is vital that the government increases funding for churches, so that we can keep these hugely important community assets open and in use."
 
Ben Sims, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at the National Churches Trust, said: “The National Churches Trust welcomes this new report. If volunteers are not supported, and if funding is not easily accessible, this is just one of many sad outcomes.

"Already this year the government has imposed VAT on 21,000 historic places of worship. By further demoralising volunteers, and causing chaos for ongoing restoration projects, this leads to churches becoming more vulnerable. We should be helping those who wish to safeguard our national heritage, not making their lives more difficult.”
 
The Countryside Alliance has urged the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity in and around churches and places of worship to the police.
 
The campaign group has called on the Government to drastically increase funding for churches and places of worship. Earlier this year,  the UK Government confirmed the end of Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme, replacing it with a four-year-fund called the Places of Worship Renewal Fund.
 
Not only is the new funding a drop in real terms, but, crucially, all repairs and maintenance that take place at any listed place of worship will now be subject to the full VAT costs at 20%; a massive additional burden on churches, many of which are already struggling with costs.
 
Read more on this story at Countryside Alliance.
 
Read more about Norfolk church crime on Network Norfolk.

Pictured above is St Nicholas, Dereham, which was hit by two arson attacks last year. Picture courtesy of Simon Knott at NorfolkChurches.com