Security experts have warned that the thieves will often get violent if confronted.

The survey was published by VPS Security Services, which is a specialist provider of vacant, occupied and site security solutions.

They found that there were on average 37 reports of lead theft from churches in Britain each month.

Last year, a security expert recommended that the theft of lead from church roofs be considered a hate crime.

Nick Tolson, head of National Churchwatch, an independent organisation that provides advice on crime and security for places of worship, said when arsonists attacked his church in Hampshire in 2015 for a second time, just weeks after a Bible was left burning at the altar in a previous attack, it wasn’t treated as religiously motivated.

“If a crime happens in a mosque or a synagogue, it is assumed to be a hate crime unless proved otherwise, but if it happens in a church it is assumed to be a normal crime,” Tolson told The Times at the time.

The National Crime Agency found that metal theft has risen by 25 per cent in a year.

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Authorities realised in 2016 that Spanish architect Antoni Gaudi’s spectacular church had never been granted planning permission.

The unfinished basilica is one of Spain’s biggest tourist attractions and is visited by more than four million people a year.

Construction began in 1882 and was nowhere near to being completed when Gaudi died in 1926 after being hit by a tram.

Barcelona City Hall gave the go-ahead for the construction of the basilica on Friday, following a provisional agreement last October.

The Sagrada Família Foundation said that the licence would allow it to “continue to build Antoni Gaudí’s project”, which is expected to be completed in 2026, coinciding with the centenary of the death of its main designer.

The cathedral has a budget of 374 million euros (£332.5million). The licence alone cost 4.6 million euros (£4.1 million).

The construction board will also have to pay 36 million euros (£32 million) over ten years to cover public costs incurred by its activity.

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The recently elected Brexit Party MEP suggested in a Sky News interview that science might one day “produce an answer” to helping people with unwanted same sex attraction.

“The fact that we think it is now quite impossible for people to switch sexuality doesn’t mean that science might not be able to produce an answer at some stage,” the Catholic politician explained.

The Penlee Open Air Theatre in Penzance, the Electric Theatre in Guildford and the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe have axed tour dates for the ‘Strictly Ann show’ that had already began selling tickets.

David Hutchinson, who runs the Landmark Theatre in Ilfracombe, said on Twitter he was “absolutely disgusted” by her comments.

Absolutely disgusted at Ann Widdecombe’s comments over the weekend. Took no time in immediately cancelling her planned ‘evening with’ event at one of our @SelladoorVenues. We will never provide a stage for these vile people.https://t.co/IpcU7y90e6

— David Hutchinson (@DaveHutchinson_) June 3, 2019

Widdecombe, who was defended by fellow Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage, said she stood by her comments but they had been “distorted” on social media.

“I’m disappointed that the people who bought the tickets are now finding that they can’t have that fun after all,” she told the BBC.

“This is now the grip that I call the liberal tyranny and I think we have got to fight it.”

Stay…

Security experts have warned that the thieves will often get violent if confronted.

The survey was published by VPS Security Services, which is a specialist provider of vacant, occupied and site security solutions.

They found that there were on average 37 reports of lead theft from churches in Britain each month.

Last year, a security expert recommended that the theft of lead from church roofs be considered a hate crime.

Nick Tolson, head of National Churchwatch, an independent organisation that provides advice on crime and security for places of worship, said when arsonists attacked his church in Hampshire in 2015 for a second time, just weeks after a Bible was left burning at the altar in a previous attack, it wasn’t treated as religiously motivated.

“If a crime happens in a mosque or a synagogue, it is assumed to be a hate crime unless proved otherwise, but if it happens in a church it is assumed to be a normal crime,” Tolson told The Times at the time.

The National Crime Agency found that metal theft has risen by 25 per cent in a year.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

The April 15 blaze sent tons of toxic lead from the cathedral’s burnt-out roof into the air, later sinking to the ground as dust.

The agency said it has identified a child from the area with “a blood lead level above the regulatory threshold”. Soil samples and some administrative buildings nearby tested positive for high levels of lead.

The agency said recent samples show there is “no risk linked to air quality”.

Paris authorities have begun a cleanup of lead dust in the remaining cordoned-off parts of Notre Dame’s forecourt with a vacuum-style machine.

Stay up to date with the latest news stories from a Christian perspective. Sign up to our daily newsletter and receive more stories like this straight to your inbox every morning.

The 44-year-old dedicated his award to all scout volunteers in the country.

Grylls, who is recognised for services to young people, the media and charity, said: “This really is a huge honour and it’s something, if I’m honest, that I never expected to happen.

“But I really do feel it’s a team effort, this award is for every one of those incredible Scout volunteers.”

Other famous names being recognised include author Lee Child and Oscar-winner Olivia Colman (below) who has been made a CBE.

The star of The Favourite, Broadchurch and Peep Show told the Press Association: “I’m totally thrilled, delighted and humbled to be in the company of these incredible people, most of whom have been nowhere near as visible as I have, but should be – and hopefully now will be.

“It’s such an honour.”

Along with the famous names, the list also celebrates the efforts of those working to improve people’s lives.

Nimco Ali and Dr Leyla Hussein, who have both dedicated their time to campaigning against female genital mutilation (FGM) after being subjected to the practice as children, are made OBEs.

Sonia Watson, the chief executive of the Stephen Lawrence Charitable Trust, is made an OBE for her work helping disadvantaged people from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds to pursue a career in architecture – the chosen career of the…