£1,000 already raised after Christmas theft at church

MORE than £1,000 has been raised for a church that was burgled on Christmas Day.

It is believed St Lleurwg’s Church in Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taff, was burgled on the morning of December 25 – with thousands of pounds worth of silverware and electrical equipment taken.

Police say the suspects may have carried out the crime after attending the church’s midnight mass service.

Reverend Ceirion Rees said among the items stolen was a chalice and plate, a brass cross, two silver vases and a silver cross, a brass bell, a sound system and a Lenovo laptop and bag.

By Tuesday morning, a JustGiving page set up to replace items stolen in the incident had raised £1,090.

Reverend Rees, who has been at the Cynon Valley church for four years, said: “The community is in shock. It was pretty bad.

“Our church warden went and opened up the church for our Christmas Day service, which is usually a lovely event. People come in their Christmas jumpers and there’s always a cake and lots of singing. It’s very family-orientated.

“As soon as she got to the door to open it, she knew something was wrong and that something was missing.

“It was a total mess that she found and lots of things taken. They had gone through cupboards and things and chucked stuff out. It was a real state.

“I got everybody into the church hall and we did a service of some kind.”

According to Reverend Rees, two laptops and a PA system, along with microphones were taken, with the value up to £20,000.

In terms of silverware, a crucifix, candle sticks, chalice and a communion set were taken, and even the trolley used for the food bank had gone.

He said: “There are some things we are still trying to work out.

“For our older members, the silver has always been there their whole lives. The biggest loss is the sentimental value. For our younger people, the technology has been up to them – they have really invested in updating it and keeping it going. But all that has gone as well.”

The church had three services on Christmas Eve: in the afternoon, the evening “Christingle” event – which Reverend Rees said was the “busiest he has ever seen the church”, and midnight mass.

A South Wales Police spokeswoman said officers believe the incident happened after the mass between 1.30am and 9.40am on Christmas Day, and that the incident is still under investigation.

Police sergeant Mike Rudall said; “The investigation into this burglary is progressing with several lines of enquiry.

“While we continue to investigate this matter we would be grateful for any information which may assist us in identifying those responsible and bringing them to justice as well as recovering the stolen goods and returning them to their rightful place at the church.

“We’re very keen to identify those responsible and place them before the court. I know the local community of Hirwaun will feel the same way. So I’m appealing for any information which may assist us.”

Anyone offered any items which they believe may be stolen are asked to report to the police immediately by calling 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, quoting reference 1700501118.

Reverend Rees added: “Sometimes churches can be seen as targets because we are supposed to be kind and loving, and sometimes people think churches have a lot of money and they can afford to replace these things, but they can’t.” He said several fundraising efforts have been set up, which he and the church were “chuffed” to hear of.

He added: “It’s not the kind of thing you expect to see. The initial reaction was sadness, then anger and people then get some perspective because it’s Christmas and we were in church for a reason.

“The stuff is sentimental and helps us in our worship but nothing can get in the way of the true meaning of Christmas. Also, we are not in the business of judging, as we don’t know the full circumstances.”

In terms of moving on after the incident, he said: “We are struggling, but we will get through. We have an event here on Sunday and we will get through it, improvising or otherwise.

“We didn’t stop on Christmas Day and we won’t stop any of our services for this.

“It’s very much a community church – a welcoming church. People come in for various things even if they are not religious or church goers. They value everything the church offers.”