Money is taken from church

St Thomas Church Leesfield, Lees break in

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MONEY was stolen from a collection box during a burglary at a church.

Food was also taken from a Christmas hamper in the break-in at St Thomas Leesfield, along with a Christmas present.

Intruders smashed a porch window to get into the building in Thomas Street, Lees, before breaking open a wooden collection box for the church magazine.

Cupboards and drawers were searched, the door to the bell tower was forced open, food was stolen from a hamper for the Christmas raffle and a Christmas present and card which had been left for someone was taken.

Deputy church warden Roy Atkinson said CCTV footage showed a man outside the church shortly before 11.45pm on Thursday. The same person is then seen again about half an hour later carrying items.

He does not know if this was the person responsible and said: "They did not ransack the place but they went through most of the drawers and cupboards."

The church was also broken into earlier this year and Mr Atkinson believes that only a few pounds were stolen in the latest incident.

The leaded window may cost several hundred pounds to repair but community spirit has prevailed and he added: "So many people have been in touch on Facebook saying they will donate items for the hamper and the caretaker from the school came to board up the window."