THIEVES are stealing tons of lead and copper worth thousands of pounds from Church of England sites in Dorset.

The scale of the problem emerged after an insurance firm revealed it had already had to deal with more than £3.5 million worth of claims nationally so far this year.

In one incident £30,000 worth of lead was stolen in six separate overnight burglaries from the roof of St Mary's Church in Lytchett Matravers.

Raiders are stealing everything from lead to bells, statues and even copper lightning conductors.

Ecclesiatical Insurance spokesman Chris Pitt said that the Dorset bill for metal theft and repairing damage caused by the thieves was more than £50,000 for the year so far with more than 20 claims submitted. Nationally there had been more than 300 claims in August alone.

He added: "It is directly influenced by the price of metals on world markets. The local parish church is becoming a victim of the worldwide demand for metals. A typical claim can cost £1,000-£2,000 to replace stolen lead or copper and repair any damage caused by the thieves.

"We would warn all parishioners in Dorset to keep their ears open and their eyes peeled for any suspicious activity near their local church."

A spokesman for Salisbury Diocese, which covers most of Dorset, said security was being stepped up.

"It seems the church is no longer the sacred space it once was but we hope that, locally at least, people will treat it with the respect it deserves because it is hallowed ground."

Weymouth police are investigating and urge witnesses to call 01305 222222.