[CPProt.net] UK: CHURCH THEFTS' TV APPEAL

[MSN CPPnet (Ton Cremers)]

CHURCH THEFTS’ TV APPEAL
Published on Friday, October 14th 2005


POLICE officers trying to trace the whereabouts of stolen church lecterns
worth thousands of pounds have made an appeal on BBC’s Crimewatch. 

Rural West Inspector Dave Jewell and PC Ed Massey appeared on last
Wednesday’s episode.

They appealed to six million viewers for information on a series of church
thefts which have taken place over the past few months.

Thieves first struck at Matfen’s Holy Trinity Church on July 30. 

A six-foot eagle-shaped oak lectern, worth around £5,000, was stolen along
with two antique wooden chests in a daylight raid.

Then on August 5, a painting of Madonna and Child – worth more than £1,000 –
was stolen from St Giles’s Church in Chollerton. 

Finally, a £3,000 lectern, almost exactly like that at Matfen, was stolen in
a theft from St Mungo’s Church in Simonburn on August 25. 

Insp. Jewell said: “As a result of the appearance we have a few new leads
which we are following up. 

“We will continue to make every effort we can to try and recover the stolen
property.

“We have also issued security advice to other churches in the area and we
would ask for everybody to be vigilant. These people are stealing a part of
our heritage.”

Anyone with information on the thefts should contact the Northumbria Police
on (01434) 604111.