Holy Trinity Church in Hartlepool now faces a £3,000 bill because their insurance firm, Ecclesiastical, excludes burglaries where a scaffold is used
An insurance company is refusing to pay out to a church which was burgled because the building had scaffolding up which they say helped the thieves.
The offenders targeted Holy Trinity Church and used the poles - put in place as part of a £220,000 restoration scheme - to steal lead.
They broke into the church in Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, to steal lead from a bell repairs hatch at the very top of the 100ft tower and a lightning conductor.
But despite the church forking out an extra £800 on top of its annual £1,500 premium to insurers Ecclesiastical - the company is refusing to pay out.
Ecclesiastical say there is a clause in the policy which states any thefts while scaffolding is erected would not be covered by insurers.
Church members have to find cash to foot the £2,000-£3,000 repair and replacement bill themselves.
The church reverend Father Paul Allinson said he thought it was "rather odd and unfair" the company would not pay out despite the extra £800 paid to the firm for added cover.
He said: "Basically the thieves got inside the scaffolding, which was fully boarded up, and they've used it to get to the top of the tower.
"The insurance company says because we have scaffolding around the building it means it's almost making it accessible to thieves so we aren't able to claim it back.
"We thought we were covered after paying this extra £800 while the scaffolding was up, but apparently not.
"It does seem rather odd and unfair and makes us wonder why we were actually paying for the extra cover.
"Perhaps it was a bit ignorant of us to assume this but maybe it is something people need to be aware of.
"There are lot of houses and businesses getting work done to improve buildings, it makes you wonder whether they are covered."
A spokeswoman for the company said the church knew theft as a result of scaffolding was not covered.
She said: "Exclusion of cover for theft of external metal whilst any external scaffolding is in place around a church is a standard exclusion applied by Ecclesiastical on all church policies.
"This exclusion is highlighted in our church policy documents and Holy Trinity church were reminded about of this exclusion of cover when they informed us of their intention to erect scaffolding to carry out roof repairs.
"We were saddened to hear that thieves have used the scaffolding in place to steal external metal from the church, which unfortunately still happens too frequently to many churches across the country.
"We have been working and will continue to work closely with our church customers across the country to help them identify the best risk management measures for their individual churches to prevent metal thefts."
Father Paul was also saddened at the actions of the thieves who risked their lives stealing the metal.
He said: "The tower is the highest structure in Seaton Carew. They've risked their lives by doing this and all for a pittance they'd get from the scrap yard."
The clergyman, whose church has also previously been attacked by vandals who kicked a hole and daubed graffiti on its perimeter wall, added: "It's very sad when we have worked so hard to fundraise to have the restoration done and then this happens. We take one step forward and then two steps back."
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police urged anyone who saw any suspicious activity from around tea-time last Monday until Tuesday morning to contact them.
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