£23,000 copper theft from 'Lewis Carroll' church

9:30pm Saturday 11th October 2008

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THIEVES have stripped more than £23,000 of copper from the roof of an historic church.

It is the second time in two years that St Peter's Church in Croft-on-Tees, near Darlington, has been targeted.

Now the parochial church council (PCC) is to hold an emergency meeting to discuss how to fund the repairs and what action to take.

The theft of lead and copper from churches has reached such a pitch that the Ecclesiastical Insurance company has set a £5,000 limit on pay-outs and a further limit on meeting the cost of repairs.

Chris Pitt, press officer, said such incidents had reached "epidemic" proportions.

In 2005 the Diocese of York received four such claims totalling £13,000. In 2006 the number rose to 13 worth £22,000.

However, in 2007 the number shot up to 76 worth £315,000 and up to the end of August this year 51 claims worth £160,000 had been made.

Mr Pitt said: "It is now even worse than last year and the trend in the York diocese is the same all over the country.

"The level of cover for metal theft is going to be lower simply because of epidemic levels which we have never seen before."

Nationally in 2007 insurers paid out £8.7m to churches - two thirds of which was for the theft of lead.

Roger Brookstein, PCC chairman at Croft, said an extraordinary meeting would have to be held to discuss the theft and necessary repairs.

It is thought the thieves struck at night and took the copper from the roof above the organ, chancel and nave.

Fortunately it was discovered quickly enough for builders to get a tarpaulin over the area before it rained - last time water leaked through causing significant damage to the organ.

The PCC may approach the Diocese and English Heritage for help with repair costs. It may also consider replacing the copper with stainless steel, and upgrading its security system.

The picturesque church stands beside Croft Bridge on the North Yorkshire side of the River Tees.

It is famous for its connections to Lewis Carroll, author of Alice in Wonderland, whose father Charles Ludwidge Dodgson was rector.

Carroll is said to have based his famous Cheshire Cat figure on a carving on a pew end in the church which could be seen when sat, but which disappeared as the viewer stood up.

His "Jabberwocky" poem is also said to have been inspired by the local Sockburn Worm legend.

Ecclesiastical Insurance advises churches on security measures and issues Smart Water as a permanent and unique marker which allows property to be traced back to its origins.

Mr Pitt said the company had been heartened by the fact that world metal prices are beginning to fall which may lead to a drop in thefts - the sudden upsurge had mirrored the rise in prices.