Raiders use explosives to steal church silver
A GANG that uses explosives is feared to be targeting churches to get to tens of thousands of pounds of sacred silver.
The thieves are believed to have hit four churches so far for their historic chalices, candlesticks, crucifixes and plates.
One holy heist saw 25 pieces of communion silver, including an Elizabethan chalice worth £30,000, stolen from a safe in Wareham, Dorset.
Similar thefts have taken place in two churches in Suffolk and another one in Lancashire. Police have confirmed they are looking into whether they are linked.
Canon Simon Everett described the attack on the Lady St Mary Church in Wareham as a “very professional crime”.
The gang struck overnight while he was asleep in the rectory.
Their haul included the Elizabethan chalice and a chalice dating to the time of Charles II.
Several items belonging to neighbouring churches that were being stored there were also taken.
There are fears the precious items could now be melted down.
Canon Everett said: “They tried drilling out the locks of the safe, when they didn’t have any joy they drilled a hole in the middle of the door and put a small explosive charge below the mechanism.
“I don’t know how much of a noise it would have made. It didn’t blow the door off its hinges, it just blew the locking mechanism.
“It was very professionally done. There was no trace of DNA or fingerprints or anything. They cut all the electrics in case there were security cameras, they knew exactly what they were doing.”
He went on: “What is really upsetting is that they have desecrated a holy place. A lot of these items were given in memory of loved ones.”
He added: “The really sad part is some of them are really significant pieces and it would be horrendous to think they are just going to be melted down.”
Two similar incidents took place at Burstall and Woolverstone, in Suffolk, and Goosnargh, Lancashire.
A spokeswoman for Lancashire Police said: “We are aware that there have been burglaries at churches in other parts of the country and we are linked in with the forces involved.”
She added: “We ask antiques dealers and those attending antiques fairs and auctions to be vigilant with regards to property which might have been stolen in burglaries at churches.”