More than half of UK churches not opening during the day for fear of criminal damage

Churches in the UK are choosing to keep their doors closed during the day for quiet prayer because of fear of criminal damage.

A new survey by Ecclesiastical Insurance in partnership with the Bible Society, has revealed more than half of the churches surveyed said criminal damage and anti-social behaviour are driving the decision to keep doors closed during the day.

Over half (55 per cent) of the churches surveyed said they only open for services and events while 30 per cent open during the day but close overnight.

It means less and less churches are able to open for quite prayer, especially in rural areas.

Out of the 527 churches surveyed, 17 per cent of them said they have experienced anti-social behaviour in the past 12 months, with 15 per cent saying criminal damage had affected them.

Theft of metal (33 per cent), graffiti (26 per cent) and theft of laptops or devices (25 per cent) are some of the other crimes churches are facing.

Churches also said theft from inside the place of worship (81 per cent) and a lack of volunteers (79 per cent) are some of the other reasons for keeping churches closed during the day.

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