Cathedral Plagued By Metal Thefts - Runs Out Of Insurance

Manchester Cathedral has been hit by so many metal thefts, it can no longer make insurance claims.

The head of the Cathedral admitted that the building has been raided so many times, that insurers will no longer pay out.

It was reported earlier this week that brazen thieves had swiped a valuable silver cross from inside the medieval building.

And that is just the latest in a series of thefts, which have left the church without insurance cover.

The silver cross which became the latest in a long line of metal thefts was stolen a week ago after robbers cut away the metal chains which kept it in place in the Lady Chapel.

The 2ft tall altarpiece was donated by the Mothers’ Union, and has graced the Cathedral since the 1950s, it is described as having ‘historic and religious significance’.

The Dean of Manchester, the Very Reverend Rogers Govender said: “We encourage people to come in and visit but the place is a bit vulnerable to thieves.

“Clearly, someone took advantage of this. We have beefed up the security and made sure all our alarm systems are set up."

In November, the Cathedral was hit by crooks who stole a 150-year-old lead drainpipe – causing £1,500 damage. It is another instance of metal thievery which has been sweeping the nation - last year was the worst on record for metal thefts from churches, according to figures from insurers Ecclesiastical.

But church roofs and decorations are only part of a nationwide wave of metal theft which has seen unscrupulous scrap dealers targeted by police eager to halt the attacks on railway lines, manhole covers, war memorials, churches and even sculptures.