07 November 2012
Church leaders, police and politicians will share best practice
on how to protect against theft the wealth of beautiful and
significant monuments housed in England's churches at a national Monuments Symposium at Westminster Abbey on
13th November 2012.
Anne Sloman, Chair of the Church Buildings Council, said:
"Monuments are a significant part of our national history - from
the Anglo Saxons to the present. The Church has taken good care of
them for centuries and this symposium brings together a range of
experts to ensure this continues into the future. The Chief
Constable of Hertfordshire Constabulary, Andy Bliss, who is the
ACPO lead on heritage crime, will speak about how to prevent theft,
an increasing problem for churches and local monuments. The Second
Church Estates Commissioner Sir Tony Baldry MP will talk about the
importance of war memorials to our national psyche as we approach
the centenary of the First World War, to ensure celebrations are
not marred by metal theft in the coming year."