Shropshire churches targeted by thieves 150 times

But the number of thefts has actually reduced during that time, with 51 reported in 2011 and 24 last year.

According to figures released to the Shropshire Star following a Freedom of Information request, there were a total of 156 thefts across the county, including 28 in 2012, 21 in 2013 and 32 in 2014.

The data, which was issued by West Mercia Police, includes offences that happened in church halls, church car parks and church grounds.

The church with the highest number of thefts was St Mary's Church in St Mary's Place, Shrewsbury, which was targeted on 11 separate occasions,

• MORE: Burglars cause £5,000 damage to stained glass window at Shrewsbury church - to steal just £24

Meanwhile, two churches – St Mary's the Virgin Church in Alveley, near Bridgnorth, and Holy Trinity Church in Belle Vue Road, Shrewsbury – were both targeted five times.

Headstones, ornaments, tiles, roof slates, lead flashing, oil and wine were among the items stolen from the county's churches in the last five years.

The figures also reveal 180 items were stolen and seven were recovered during this period.

Police say they continue to take crime in churches very seriously and that some of the most common thefts have been of lead from rooftops.

Thieves strike even when action has been taken to deter them. While the main roof of St Peter's Church in Edgmond was replaced with stainless steel during the 1960s, it did not stop a gang targeting the lead flashing

Last year St Bartholomew's Church in Tong, near Shifnal, was once again targeted by lead thieves.

Churchwarden Mick Pilsbury said: "There have been seven lead thefts in the last 10 years here as well as a couple of other attempted ones.

"During the last one they took about £15,000 worth of lead and we will have to spend £40,000 to put it back. We have not even done it yet.

"We have spent a small fortune on security. We have put in CCTV cameras and flood lighting which is on throughout the night."

Mr Pilsbury fears churches are an easy target for thieves.

"I guess it's because they know no one is there at night," he added.

The Rev Canon Judy Hunt, of St Alkmund's Church in Whitchurch, said: "Thankfully we have been fortunate with thefts. The church is open every day and we have CCTV.

"A lot of churches are insured with Ecclesiastical Insurance, which believes churches are less likely to be the subject of thefts if they are open.

"People think they are easy targets but valuable items such as silver are not left out in churches.

"There is obviously a history of problems with lead thefts but there are better tracking devices now."

Metal thefts from churches reached their peak in 2010/2011, but fell in the years that followed.

The government set up the National Metal Task Force to co-ordinate policing, and also passed the Scrap Metal Dealers Act which required dealers to hold a licence.

Cash payments for scrap metal have been banned since December 2012 in order to make it harder for thieves to sell on the metal. Thefts of money, including from charity boxes, has also been a problem for churches.

Last year nearly £50 in cash was stolen from an honesty box, while £500 worth of damage was caused to a stained glass window in St Mary's Church in Market Drayton.

Churches have gone to great lengths to step up security. The 900-year-old St Andrew's Church in Shifnal invested in SmartWater technology after being targeted three times in two months back in 2007.

SmartWater leaves a permanent code on surfaces it is applied to, which can be traced back to its owner if placed under ultra-violet light.

However, as churches step up security, it seems the thieves are using ever more sophisticated methods to commit their crimes. In some cases, drones have even been used to carry out reconnaissance operations.

Superintendent David McWilliam, of West Mercia Police, said: "Recent figures indicate that the number of thefts from churches and other places of worship continue to decrease in recent years, and we continue to take such crime very seriously due to the impact it has on our local communities.

"Some of the most common thefts have been of lead or metal from the rooftops, causing damage which is costly to repair.

"We will continue to investigate any reports of thefts, and pursue all lines of enquiry to trace the offenders responsible.

"We would encourage churches and places to review their security measures and look at using alarms and CCTV whenever appropriate.

"It is really important that people also take an active role in looking after their communities and report such incidents to us by calling 101."