Protecting our church treasures – inside and out

Across the UK, churches continue to face the difficult reality of metal theft. Kevin Thomas, Principal Risk Management Surveyor at Ecclesiastical Insurance outlines what must be done.

Lead, copper and other materials that form part of our buildings’ fabric are attractive to thieves, and when they are taken, the damage can be heartbreaking. Quite apart from the cost, the loss of a roof or pipework can disrupt worship, community life, and centuries of heritage - in an instant.

To help churches meet this challenge, many are using SmartWater®, a simple yet highly effective forensic marking system designed to protect vulnerable metal and other valuable items.

At Ecclesiastical Insurance, our church policy holders use SmartWater provided by DeterTech Limited. We require all churches to apply a forensic marking system, such as SmartWater, to external metal to benefit from theft of metal cover.

SmartWater is a clear liquid containing a unique forensic code, rather like an invisible fingerprint. When applied, in line with the guidelines in your SmartWater pack, to metal on roofs, church furnishings and even to portable valuable items such as brass and silver it cannot easily be removed.

Though invisible in daylight, it glows bright yellow green under UV light, allowing recovered metal to be traced back to the church it belongs to. This also enables police to link offenders to crime scenes, something that has contributed to successful prosecutions across the UK.

SmartWater has a strong track record not only in helping the police identify stolen materials but also in deterring theft. Offenders are well aware of the technology, and research shows that a clear SmartWater warning sign makes many criminals think twice. In fact, nearly three quarters of offenders surveyed said they would avoid a site displaying SmartWater signage, a powerful reminder that simple measures can have a big impact.

Using SmartWater is not a standalone solution, but it is an important part of a wider, responsible approach to caring for our buildings. Alongside good housekeeping, visible signage, and, where appropriate, roof alarms or other measures, it helps us act wisely and proportionately in protecting the places that mean so much to our worshipping communities.

Measures like SmartWater play a practical role in reducing theft and the costly disruption it brings, allowing churches to maintain their buildings more efficiently.

For more information, please visit www.ecclesiastical.com/smartwater, email me on Meetus@ecclesiastical.com or call Ecclesiastical Insurance on 0345 777 3322.