A wave of violence has engulfed church workers in England and Wales, with, on average, more than one assault every day of the year.

In 1999, the latest year for which figures are available, 462 church workers, including ministers and priests, were injured in attacks. And because many crimes are not reported, the figure is recognized by the British government as greatly understating the actual level of violence against church workers.

At the same time a sample survey by researchers at London University has found that 12 percent of Anglican clergy in England—about 1,300 priests—were attacked in 2000.

Crime against churches and church buildings, including arson, malicious damage, and theft, is also running at a high level, with an average of 10 Anglican churches coming under attack every day. The figures, from security specialists Churchwatch and church insurers Ecclesiastical, point to Britain's growing problem of drug abuse as a major factor, with addicts seeing clergy as easy targets to help fund their habit.

Nick Tolson, national coordinator of Churchwatch, said that other professional groups like doctors and teachers no longer lived in the deprived communities they served, so that ministers and priests were often "the last official figures left there." This made them a magnet for those trying to find money.

Tolson told ENI: "Many clergy find the hardest thing is to shut the front door. Our advice is never give money. But also never just say no. Provide alternatives, like giving food from the house."

Tolson travels around the United Kingdom running security courses for clergy and other church workers. The courses are free, sponsored by Ecclesiastical and other companies. More than 100 people attended a course on January ...