Location of Arson Offences: Places of Worship

Arson in Places of Worship

Most fires in churches and associated church halls and community centres are stared deliberately and can have a significant financial impact. The Arson Prevention Bureau found that 274 claims positively identified by the insurer as arson cost the industry in excess of £10 million.

Churches and other places of worship are often easy targets for the arsonists - they often have poor security arrangements and valuable contents to attract an offender. It is possible that arson may be used as a means of destroying evidence of a crime, or fires may be associated with vagrants who may light fires accidentally or deliberately, possibly whilst under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

Click here for guidance on preventing arson places of worship