New data reveals over 130 church crime cases in Cornwall and Devon
The figures from Countryside Alliance show 137 crimes in the 12 months to August this year
Data has revealed that 137 crimes involving churches have been committed this year in Devon and Cornwall.
According to recorded figures taken by the Countryside Alliance, this number comes with an overall decrease in crimes in religious buildings nationally.
Mo Metcalf- Fisher, a spokesman for the Countryside Alliance said: “We are presented with a grim reality that many churches and places of worship are being treated as easy targets by criminals.
“These are supposed to be places where people go to seek solace, but all too often they subjected to heinous crimes, either in or on their property.
"While it is positive to see the overall number of crimes recorded in Devon and Cornwall are down on last year, the numbers are still far too high."
The new data also showed other crimes where a church was recorded as the location.
This involved 71 cases of criminal damage, including 3 reported arson crimes and 15 cases of violence.
The Countryside Alliance's annual report into crimes on churches and religious buildings nationally revealed a total of 30,169 incidents in four years.
With crimes in religious buildings being high, Devon and Cornwall Police recorded a decrease, with figures of 75 less crimes that involved churches this year compared to last year.
South Wales, Cleveland, Essex, Hertfordshire and Greater Manchester were the other five forces to return increases in 2021.
Mo Metcalf-Fisher continued: “We cannot allow these precious places, which are often the centre of villages and towns across the country, to go unguarded and be so exposed.
She continued: “Irrespective of faith, ensuring the public keep an ever watchful eye on churches and reporting suspicious behaviour to police is vital as is easy access protective funding schemes.”