To help protect your church from metal theft, refer to the following checklist to assess and improve your security measures. Please consider the levels of threat affecting your own church and adapt the security accordingly as some measures will be more appropriate – and less costly – than others. Check your premises and identify the location of materials that may be attractive to thieves. If you are unsure speak to your church architect. Examples of items desirable to thieves include lead, copper and stainless steel roof coverings, copper lightening conductors, lead and copper water pipes, metal statues, iron gates and church bells. Regularly check your roof to make sure that it is intact. Unnoticed theft of lead from the roof can lead to extensive water damage at a later date. Review church security - e.g. lock gates and consider removal of large or over grown bushes which may obscure the view of neighbours. Restrict vehicular access to the church. Restrict access to the roof by removing items such as waste bins, water butts and tall trees located near the building. Make sure ladders are kept in a locked building when left unattended and be especially careful when building works are being undertaken and scaffolding in use. Make sure that items such as wheelbarrows or wheelie bins are locked away at night as these items may be used to transport materials away from the church. Engage with the local community; make sure neighbours know of any authorised work at the church so that they can report any suspicious behaviour or the presence of unauthorised workmen to you or the police. Click here for resources to assist you in this. Secure areas of the roof which are easily accessible and consult a crime prevention officer for advice. Consider planting defensive shrubs or bushes. Click here for some planting suggestions. Consider the area you wish to plant these types of shrubs or bushes i.e. don't plant where children could fall and injure themselves. Consider using anti climb paint on drain pipes and on the metal itself in situ. The paint should only be applied above two metres from the ground and in each case suitable warning notices should be posted. Whenever it is applied, ensure that the appropriate health and safety regulations are followed. Click here for further information. Ensure all outside lighting is in good working order and consider installing security lighting, particularly at roof level. “Dusk till Dawn” security lighting is more cost effective than motion sensors as they give an even spread of light and avoid dark areas. Also, white light is better than yellow as this distorts colour. Consider installing an alarm system. Alarm systems should be installed and maintained by an NSI or SSAIB approved company. To find details of approved installers visit www.nsi.org.uk and www.ssaib.info Install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV ) as deterrent. Please note that this can be an expensive option and would require a commitment to monitor.