Some churches have been forced to cancel their Christmas Eve services due to anti-social behaviour. Unite, a trade union for ministers said churches have been facing problems in recent years with drunks or intruders ruining the late night services.
A key problem according to the union is that churches have no legal responsibility for the safety of the clergy, who are deemed to be employed by God.
The problem is widespread and has caused issues acrosss the denominations, affecting Methodist, Catholic and Church of England ministers.
Church officials have reported numerous attacks on clergymen in the run up to Christmas and consequently Unite are advising all church ministers to ensure that they safeguard their own well-being by not being alone in their churches.
The Reverend Malcolm Liles, from Crawley, in Sussex, who is a member of Unite, said: "I have heard of several instances where clergy have been asked for money or have been assaulted in their churches."
The attacks have lead Unite to campaign for better employment rights for ministers, including improved safety.
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