Ancient flag stones stolen from church
PARISH RECTOR BRANDS THIEVES AS ‘DISGUSTING’
THIEVES stripped dozens of stone flags from a path outside Kirkheaton Parish Church in what the rector described as an “affront to the whole community.”
The theft took place overnight on Wednesday and was discovered early on Thursday morning, and has left parishioners aghast.
Rector, the Rev Ian Jones, estimated around 45 Yorkshire stone flags had been taken up and stolen.
He said: “There were others they lifted but didn’t take them, possibly because they had no more room in the van or because the sun was coming up.
“The stones were laid in the late 18th century or, at the latest, in the early 19th century.
“In those days they believed in quality. I suppose they didn’t think that Britain would ever degenerate to the state where people would steal from a church.”
Mr Jones added that while he believes stealing from a church is “disgusting” he is a Christian leader and believes in the power of love and forgiveness.
He added: “Stealing from a church – it’s an insult and an affront to the whole community because it is a place for everybody in Kirkheaton, Dalton and Waterloo, who identifies as Anglican.
“I’m not happy with them but I want them to eventually discover Jesus and from that, realise what they’ve done is wrong and repent.
“But ultimately I want them to turn their lives around and earn an honest living like everyone else.”
The crime has been reported to West Yorkshire Police who are investigating.
Mr Jones appealed for anyone who may unwittingly receive the stone flags to contact the police.
He said: “We think these flags were stolen to order and maybe the people who get them on their driveway or path don’t know they have been take from a church and would be horrified.
“So I would ask people if they are offered flags at a price that seems too good to be true to contact police on 101.”
A spokesman for West Yorkshire Police said: “Officers received a report of theft of stone from church grounds on Church Lane, Kirkheaton, overnight on October 30.
“Anyone with information can contact police on 101, quoting crime reference 13190558910.”