Police 'Faith Watch' initiative aims to beat theft and vandalism to churches

West Yorkshire Police are inviting churches to join up to Faith Watch, a new initiative to try and reduce theft and vandalism on church and faith buildings and property in the region.

The police say that becoming involved with Faith Watch will enable faith communities to help reduce opportunities for crime, create awareness of preventative measures, become part of a wider faith community network receiving and relaying information and help improve understanding of other faiths and concerns. 

Inspector Richard Cawkwell of North West Leeds Police, said: “Any religious building, whether it is a church or a mosque, is an establishment for all of the community. Theft or any crime against a religious building does not just affect those at the place of worship but affects the wider community.

"Metal and lead theft is becoming an increasing problem in West Yorkshire and a large proportion of these are from religious buildings.

"We urge members of the faith communities to join their local Faith Watch scheme and work together and share information with each other to ensure their local church or mosque is not an easy target for thieves.”

With crime on the increase, the police say it is essential for churches to join up to Faith Watch. They say that in the past 6 months in West Yorkshire there were 103 offences of metal theft taken from religious buildings. 

City and Holbeck Division have been working with 17 of their local churches, mosques and Gurdwaras across Morley, Hunslet, Woodkirk and Beeston, to form a Faith Watch group.

As a result of information being circulated, steps are now being taken to improve the security of several of the buildings.

Inspector Damien Miller of City and Holbeck police said: “Faith Watch is an excellent way for our local places of worship to protect themselves from criminals who have no regard for those who wish to practice their religion. Our Faith Watch scheme is working well with information being circulated regularly and I encourage all local worshippers to do the same and sign up.”

For more information see www.westyorkshire.police.uk  or contact  Diane Winder on (0113) 238 2045.