Donation boxes broken open: what German parishes learned in 2025 and how to secure collections
Broken-open donation boxes are the single most expensive item when churches become the target of thieves. This is shown by a survey conducted in August 2025 by the Evangelical Press Service (Evangelischer Pressedienst, epd) among Germany's regional Protestant churches (Landeskirchen) and Catholic dioceses. This article summarises the figures and sets out what parishes, parish offices and parochial church councils should bear in mind when securing collections and donations.
The figures: what the 2025 epd survey shows
In the Archdiocese of Paderborn, a total of 65 cases of damage were recorded between 1 August 2024 and 31 July 2025, including 21 cases of damage to buildings and 23 cases of vandalism. The total loss amounted to around 104,000 euros. By comparison, in 2014 there were 10 cases with approximately 21,500 euros in damage. The Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony (Evangelische Landeskirche Sachsens) reported 55 cases of criminal damage, trespass, theft and arson. The Diocese of Regensburg and the Archdiocese of Cologne also report an increase.
The churches name criminal damage, theft and soiling as the most frequent offences. Broken-open donation boxes cause particularly high losses because, in addition to the cash, the donation box itself and frequently masonry or pews are damaged as well. Altar ornaments, candlesticks, altar Bibles, collection boxes and technical equipment are also stolen.
The Diocese of Passau shows how quickly cases can accumulate: in September 2025 alone, 15 churches there were broken into, as many as would otherwise be recorded in an entire year. Donation boxes were forced open or removed in their entirety. The diocesan leadership recommends emptying donation boxes promptly, locking away unsecured furnishings and reporting every case to the police.
Sources: epd survey, published on 17 and 19 August 2025 (among others at domradio.de and sonntagsblatt.de); Diocese of Passau, statement of 6 October 2025.
Why open churches and cash have to go together
Most parishes wish to keep their church open during the day. That is precisely what makes the donation box a target: it stands unattended, everyone knows there is cash inside, and an old wooden box or a thin-walled sheet-metal container can be opened in seconds. The countermeasures named in the epd survey range from alarm systems and video technology to security glass and grilles, and on to restricted opening hours with volunteer attendants. All of these measures cost money or time on an ongoing basis, and they curtail the very openness one wishes to preserve.
One item on the same list is less expensive and permanent: the theft-resistant donation box. It acts at the point where the loss occurs and leaves the church open.
What makes a donation box secure
A donation box is essentially a small deposit safe. Four features determine whether it withstands an attempted break-in:
1. Steel instead of wood or sheet metal. A donation box with 3 mm walls and a 6 mm door made of hardened steel cannot be opened with a screwdriver or crowbar. The heavy-duty version has 5 mm walls.
2. Anchoring to the wall or floor. In the Diocese of Passau, donation boxes were removed in their entirety. A donation box anchored to the wall or floor with anchor bolts cannot simply be carried away. The heavy-duty version has 10 fixing points, six for the wall and four for the floor. For the donation boxes with corner slot, the fixing material is included in the scope of delivery.
3. Narrow slot with anti-fishing device. The deposit slot of 10 × 100 mm accepts notes and coins but does not let a hand through. Behind it sits an anti-fishing device, which prevents notes from being fished out again with wire or adhesive tape. In the heavy-duty version it consists of a hook system.
4. Dual control when emptying. Those who manage the collection must not only protect themselves against thieves but also account to the congregation. A donation box with two locks can only be opened when two key holders are present at the same time. This protects volunteers from any suspicion.
Which version for which church
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Church open during the day, donation box on the wall in the entrance area | Donation box with corner slot, security level A, wall anchoring |
| Large church, many visitors, donation box free-standing in the room | Heavy-duty donation box with 5 mm steel and 10 fixing points, floor anchoring |
| Collection managed by several volunteers | Donation box with two locks on the dual-control principle |
| Historic donation box is to remain | Decommission the historic piece and leave it as an ornament, and place a steel donation box next to it |
The donation boxes listed here are classified as security level A under the German standard VDMA 24992, can be insured for up to 1,500 euros and are supplied with two keys.
- Donation box with corner slot, security level A
- Donation box with corner slot, dual-control principle
- Heavy-duty donation box, 10 fixing points
- All donation boxes and donation safes
Three rules for everyday practice
Even the best donation box is no substitute for routine. Three rules can be derived from the dioceses' recommendations:
- Empty regularly. The less cash in the donation box, the smaller the loss. Fixed emptying days, ideally after services and before public holidays.
- Never empty alone. Two people, a record with date and amount. This protects volunteers and simplifies the parish's bookkeeping.
- Report every break-in. The dioceses expressly ask for this so that series can be identified. For the insurer, a police report is a precondition in any case.
Conclusion
The figures from Paderborn, Saxony and Passau show that break-ins of donation boxes are no longer isolated incidents but a growing problem. Cameras and closed doors offer protection, but at the cost of openness. A donation box made of hardened steel, firmly anchored, with an anti-fishing device and, where required, two locks protects donations at the point where the thief strikes, and leaves the church open. Should you have any questions about the appropriate version or about installation, we will be glad to assist.
