CHURCHES in Essex have become among the worst in the UK for being stripped bare by metal thieves.

In the last year several churches across the county have been targeted by crooks on the prowl for valuable metal.

Several have suffered thousands of pounds damage as thieves have stripped them of copper and lead tiles and flashing.

But the crime is a growing problem with homes, restaurants, public buildings and even underground cabling taken by villains.

Church insurer Ecclesiastical says the Chelmsford diocese, which oversees all Church of England churches in Essex, is the fifth worst spot in the UK for being targeted by metal thieves.

In the last year more than 70 churches in the diocese put in claims for metal stolen and damage caused by thieves.

It was only topped by the Manchester diocese, which had 90 claims in the last year.

The five diocese which were worst-hit account for 25 per cent of all metal theft in the UK.

John Coates, Ecclesiastical’s direct insurance services director, said: “It’s been a pretty dire year for lead theft, with Manchester and these four other diocese bearing the brunt of the problem.

“With lead and other valuable metals fetching high prices, it’s not surprising criminals have been stripping churches and exposing them to the elements.”

Religious leaders have joined together to form the new Church Buildings Council.

It is hoped the working group will put pressure on politicians to tackle the problem.