Vicar bids for CCTV after Mirfield church theft and vandalism

St Mary’s Church, in Church Lane, has been a repeated target in recent years.

Brass memorial plaques were torn from the Garden of Rest, lead has been thrown from the tower roof and a lightning conductor has been hacked off.

The church has also had Yorkshire stone slabs stolen twice in 18 months and now Vicar of Mirfield the Rev Hugh Baker wants to save valuable stone pathways being stolen piece by piece.

Mr Baker said: “We had been thinking about whether to invest in CCTV for some time and there are arguments for and against.

“CCTV may only have a limited efficiency but it will alert you to a potential theft and you can watch the cameras remotely and alert the police when necessary and hopefully catch the thieves red-handed.”

In the first theft 25 stone slabs of various sizes were stolen and the second time slightly less, though some stones were dug up but not taken.

Mr Baker believes the thieves may have been disturbed.

The church has claimed on its insurance but, like in previous years when lead theft became prevalent at churches, Mr Baker thinks insurance companies will start to limit pay-outs.

So-called ‘smart water’ left ultra violet markings on lead to deter thieves and Mr Baker believes marking stones could also help as would bolting them down or setting them in concrete.

“Stone is more difficult to protect because it is out there in the open,” he said. “Electric fencing and razor wire isn’t a good look for a church.”

Police patrols have been increased and Mr Baker thanked neighbours around the church for their vigilance.

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