North Yorkshire Police has issued advice to church authorities to keep premises locked when unattended to deter theft.
The advice has been sent out in pamphlets to churches across the region and has been questioned by some who believe the premises should stay open throughout the day.
The full advice can be seen on the North Yorkshire Police website and also includes locking away any valuable items and chaining antique furniture to the floor and wall.
Churches have historically been open to the community at most times throughout the day for prayer and services. Most have been closed in the past year due to covid.
C B Newsham is the director of the Parish Church Photographic Survey and saw the police notice whilst taking photographs in a Harrogate church.
He expressed his dismay at the advice on Twitter;
https://twitter.com/cbnewham/status/1400102182716854273
He said;
“If a church is locked then it presents a more tempting target for a thief […] because a locked building says “I’m locked because I have valuables inside”. Most churches have very little worth stealing inside them – something easily seen if the church is open. If it’s locked, then a lot of damage can be done gaining access. Thousands of pounds-worth of damage with nothing stolen.”
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Reverend Robb Wainwright, associate Priest for Burton Leonard and Bishop Monkton, is in agreement;
“I am very much in favour of churches remaining open where it is practicable to do so. In many rural locations just organising a key holder and an opening rota may be a problem, especially in winter.”
North Yorkshire Police has not yet responded with comment on the issue.