• Support Wokingham Today
  • Get the print edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Wokingham.Today
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • All
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
    • Riseley
    • Shinfield
    • Sindlesham
    • Sonning
    • Spencers Wood
    • Swallowfield
    • Three Mile Cross
    • Twyford
    • Wargrave
    • Winnersh
    • Wokingham
    • Wokingham Without
    • Woodley
    • Woosehill
    • Yateley
    The project, organised by Wokingham Lions Club started in March 2024.

    Two new shops to host share bins

    Health secretary Wes Streeting with Yuan Yang MP.

    MP celebrates falling waiting lists

    Images from the Mindset Unlimited Festival. Pic: Stewart Turkington.

    A treat for your mind and body

    People taking part in Wokingham Bikeathon 2023 Picture: Andrew Batt

    Register now for Sunday’s Bikeathon

    Tiger Woods using Full Swing's simulator.

    Golf tech business comes to Wokingham

    An event in Winnersh will explain how small businesses and individuals can save money by switching to electric vehicles. Picture: Chuttersnap, via Unsplash

    Thinking about electric vehicles for you or your small business?

    RDDA

    Come and meet the fishing stars at the Reading & District Angling Association open day

    The unit in Anglo Industrial Park off Fishponds Road. Pic: WBC.

    Committee to decide new brewery application

    Pippa, 20-years-old, is fronting the campaign.

    Poster girl Pippa fronts adoption campaign

  • SPORT
    • All
    • Binfield FC
    • Reading FC
    Paudie O'Connor Picture: Wikimedia Commons

    Reading FC set to sign Lincoln City captain on free transfer

    Ruben Selles

    Former Reading FC boss front runner for top Championship job

    Rob Couhig

    Reading FC owner Rob Couhig: ‘Our transfer window has the potential to be spectacular’

    Tiger Woods using Full Swing's simulator.

    Golf tech business comes to Wokingham

    RDDA

    Come and meet the fishing stars at the Reading & District Angling Association open day

    Rob Couhig

    Reading FC chairman Rob Couhig on Dai Yongge, Reading fans, Noel Hunt, Joe Jacobson and more

    Woodley Schools Football Tournament

    Former Reading FC winger is guest of honour at Woodley Carnival Schools Football Tournament

    Amadou Mbengue

    Championship clubs circle to sign Reading FC defender Amadou Mbengue

    Reading FC

    Reading FC appoint new goalkeeper coach

  • READING FC
  • COMMUNITY
    The project, organised by Wokingham Lions Club started in March 2024.

    Two new shops to host share bins

    Health secretary Wes Streeting with Yuan Yang MP.

    MP celebrates falling waiting lists

    Images from the Mindset Unlimited Festival. Pic: Stewart Turkington.

    A treat for your mind and body

    People taking part in Wokingham Bikeathon 2023 Picture: Andrew Batt

    Register now for Sunday’s Bikeathon

    Tiger Woods using Full Swing's simulator.

    Golf tech business comes to Wokingham

    An event in Winnersh will explain how small businesses and individuals can save money by switching to electric vehicles. Picture: Chuttersnap, via Unsplash

    Thinking about electric vehicles for you or your small business?

    Wokingham Baptist Church (WBC), on Milton Road invited local residents to join them in Elms Field for a fun day with face painting, goal scoring, crafts, music, cakes, and a fire engine. Picture: Emma Merchant

    Discover books and much more at a free Family Fun Day

    The unit in Anglo Industrial Park off Fishponds Road. Pic: WBC.

    Committee to decide new brewery application

    Pippa, 20-years-old, is fronting the campaign.

    Poster girl Pippa fronts adoption campaign

  • LIFESTYLE
    • All
    • Food
    • Health
    • Obituaries
    • People

    Peter Lean

    The project, organised by Wokingham Lions Club started in March 2024.

    Two new shops to host share bins

    Health secretary Wes Streeting with Yuan Yang MP.

    MP celebrates falling waiting lists

    Images from the Mindset Unlimited Festival. Pic: Stewart Turkington.

    A treat for your mind and body

    An event in Winnersh will explain how small businesses and individuals can save money by switching to electric vehicles. Picture: Chuttersnap, via Unsplash

    Thinking about electric vehicles for you or your small business?

    The unit in Anglo Industrial Park off Fishponds Road. Pic: WBC.

    Committee to decide new brewery application

    Pippa, 20-years-old, is fronting the campaign.

    Poster girl Pippa fronts adoption campaign

    Find out more about the alternatives to driving. Pic: Stewart Turkington.

    Make a difference on Clean Air Day

    The citizenship ceremony is the final step to becoming a British citizen.

    Celebrating new citizens

  • WHAT’S ON
    • All
    • Arts
    • Entertainment
    Shaun the Sheep Picture: Pixabay

    Shaun the Sheep flocks to Reading town centre this summer

    The event is at Dinton Pastures Country Park..

    Celebrating dads with free family fun day

    More than 6,000 people are expected to attend the event.

    Woodley Carnival returns on Saturday

    A series of short horror films made by local filmmakers will be shown at Reading's Biscuit Factory on July 17. Picture: Alexander Krivitskiy via Unsplash

    Local filmmakers bring spooky horror shorts to Reading Biscuit Factory

    The summer show is happening on Saturday.

    Vote for your favourites at Twyford summer show

    Steam railways

    Steam specials to depart from Reading in railway’s 200th year

    BWCB, here in rehearsal, will perform a night of movie music in July. Picture BWCB

    Enjoy a film music night for charity

    An afternoon of jazz and afternoon tea will raise funds for The Cowshed in July. Picture: Zeno Aras via Unsplash

    Uplifting July jazz afternoon promises to fizz in Waltham St Lawrence

    The Bucket List Wishes Summer Festival is taking place at Highfield Park, Hook, from 2.30pm-10.30pm on Saturday, July 5.

    Bucket List Wishes Summer Festival to return in July

  • JOBS
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
No Result
View All Result
Wokingham.Today
No Result
View All Result
Home Area Arborfield

Berkshire churches urged to review security

by Andrew Batt
June 29, 2024
in Arborfield, Bracknell, Community, Lifestyle, News, Reading, Wokingham
Work at a church in Arborfield. Pic: Andrew Batt.

Work at a church in Arborfield. Pic: Andrew Batt.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Churches throughout the county are being urged to take steps to prevent break ins following a series of incidents across the UK.

The warning comes from specialist insurer Ecclesiastical following a spate of thefts from churches.

A number of churches have been targeted in the first half of 2024 – including Grade-I listed Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, which had a silver plate, chalices and other items used for communion stolen.

St Nicholas’ Church in Kings Norton, Birmingham was burgled and a stained-glass window smashed by a thief, and in nearby St Mary’s Church, Henley-on-Thames, a safe was cracked and a cash collection stolen.

Earlier this year, a report published by Historic England and the National Police Chief’s councilhighlighted the risk of an increase in theft of valuable heritage materials and cultural objects by opportunist offenders and organised crime groups, as inflation continues to impact on the price of commodities.

Ecclesiastical is urging churches across the country to carry out reviews of their security arrangements as a result of this recent increase in break ins and thefts.

Related posts

Reading FC set to sign Lincoln City captain on free transfer

Former Reading FC boss front runner for top Championship job

Helen Richards, church operations director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “Theft from church buildings can have a heartbreaking impact, both on the volunteers and congregation who give their time to worship at the church and also to the potential loss of heritage.

“Sadly we’re seeing more incidents where churches are being targeted, with items such as silver, cash, statues, furniture and even paving stones being stolen. While many of these items have limited financial value, they are irreplaceable, and the emotional impact of that loss can be devastating.

“There is a real risk the economic challenges in the UK and high value of silver could see an increase in thefts from historical buildings such as churches, so we’re urging churches across the country to take steps to protect themselves and follow our guidance which is available through our website.

“We still want churches to be open during the day to their communities, congregation and potential visitors, but we must all be aware of the risks.

“It is critically important that churches follow our risk management advice to protect themselves.

The specialist insurer’s risk management team advises churches to take the following steps:

Keep your church secure: At night lock your church doors, windows, and any external gates. Installing security lights and keeping the exterior well-lit can deter criminals and applying anti-climb paint. Also, consider installing intruder alarms and CCTV, all remotely monitored by an alarm-receiving centre that can alert the church if there is an incident.

Report suspicious activity and encourage use of church buildings: Use the building as much as possible for church and community activities. Regularly occupied and used buildings may be less vulnerable to attacks.

Practise good housekeeping: Keep internal doors shut and locked when not in use, put any valuables into secure safes, remove any equipment that could be used to access the church – such as ladders used for maintenance.

Carry out regular external inspections of your church buildings and grounds: Regularly check your buildings and report any criminal damage to the police and your insurers as soon as possible. Cut back vegetation on a regular basis so the building can be seen by people passing who may spot suspicious activity.

Repair any criminal damage to the church building immediately: A damaged building is at risk of further attacks, including arson. Ensure any graffiti or other signs of anti-social behaviour are removed quickly.

Report theft to the police and insurer: In the event that the worst case happens, make sure you report the break in to the police so they can visit and collect forensic evidence to support any investigation. It’s also important to let your insurer know so they can help process the claim.

For more information on how churches can protect themselves, visit ecclesiastical.com.

Keep up to date by signing up for our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people who have requested it.

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

Previous Post

‘This is the darkest day yet’: Sell Before We Dai responds to Reading FC Women’s update

Next Post

A splash of summer colour

FOLLOW US

POPULAR THIS WEEK

Tiger Woods using Full Swing's simulator.

Golf tech business comes to Wokingham

June 17, 2025
Find out more about the alternatives to driving. Pic: Stewart Turkington.

Make a difference on Clean Air Day

June 16, 2025
Cllr Rachel Burgess

FROM THE CHAMBER: Others may talk, but Labour is fixing what the Conservatives have broken

June 14, 2025
The Police and Crime Commissioner has described the government's recent spending review as "disappoint[ing]" and warned that it risks the effectiveness of policing in the country.

Police and Crime Commissioner: Spending review ‘risks damaging’ policing effectiveness

June 16, 2025
MP Yuam Yang outside the takeaway.

MP says sorry for social media post

June 11, 2025
Cllr Martin Alder

FROM THE CHAMBER: Executive Member for Planning and Enforcement

June 15, 2025

ABOUT US

Wokingham Today is dedicated to providing news online across the whole of the Borough of Wokingham. It is a Social Enterprise, existing to support the various communities in Wokingham Borough.

Wokingham.Today is a Social Enterprise and aims to ensure that everyone within the Borough has free access to independent and up-to-date news. However, providing this service is not without costs. If you are able to, please make a contribution to support our work.

CONTACT US

[email protected]

Keep up to date with our daily newsletter

We don’t spam we only send our newsletter to people that have subscribed

Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.

  • Support Us
  • Book Advertising
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Get the Print Edition
  • Sign up for our daily newsletter

The Wokingham Paper Ltd publications are regulated by IPSO – the Independent Press Standards Organisation.
If you have a complaint about a  The Wokingham Paper Ltd  publication in print or online, you should, in the first instance, contact the publication concerned, email: [email protected], or telephone: 0118 327 2662. If it is not resolved to your satisfaction, you should contact IPSO by telephone: 0300 123 2220, or visit its website: www.ipso.co.uk. Members of the public are welcome to contact IPSO at any time if they are not sure how to proceed, or need advice on how to frame a complaint.

No Result
View All Result
  • HOME
  • MY AREA
    • Arborfield
    • Barkham
    • Beech Hill
    • Binfield
    • Bracknell
    • Charvil
    • Crowthorne
    • Earley
    • Emmbrook
    • Finchampstead
    • Grazeley
    • Henley
    • Hurst
    • Lower Earley
    • Norreys
    • Reading
    • Remenham
  • COMMUNITY
  • LIFESTYLE
  • SPORT
  • READING FC
  • OBITUARIES
  • WHAT’S ON
  • JOBS
  • PHOTOS
  • ADVERTISE WITH US
  • CONTACT US
  • WHERE TO GET THE PRINT EDITION
  • SUPPORT US

© 2022 - The Wokingham Paper Ltd - All Right Reserved.