Large amount of metal stolen from New Forest church
St Peter's in Bramshaw falls victim to metal theft
Last updated 27th Apr 2022
Another church in the Salisbury Diocese has been targeted by metal thieves.
St Peter's Church in Bramshaw in the New Forest was targeted overnight on Sunday into Monday morning (4th April)
Around a third of the copper on the roof of the Grade was stripped off with considerable damage caused to the Grade II listed building.
Hampshire Police is appealing for witnesses:
"We received a report following criminal damage having been caused at St Peter’s Church in Bramshaw between 9pm on Sunday 3 April and 6am on Monday 4 April.
"Copper from the church roof has been removed and consequently, the roof has sustained further damaged.
If anyone witnessed anything suspicious relating to this incident, please call 101 quoting crime reference 44220132163."
The Church Buildings Team at the Diocese of Salisbury says it's 'saddened' by the latest incident:
"Instances of this are sadly not uncommon, and the Diocese as a whole, is always saddened that sacred buildings of such local and national importance are targeted in this way. Replacing stolen roof material is a costly and time-consuming exercise for the Church Council (PCC), especially as they are all locally funded.
"With instances of metal theft, the Diocesan Advisory Committee supports replacing stolen material with suitable alternatives in line with current guidance to ensure the matter does not occur again. The Diocese also encourages pre-emptive action by installing deterrence measures such as roof alarms.”
In February £20,000 of lead was stolen from St Peter's church in Stourton Around a third of the metal on the roof of the Grade II listed building was stripped off leaving considerable damage.