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World News

Stained glass window shattered in break-in at Henley Church

by Kelly Valencia

Congregants at St Mary's Church, on Hart Street, Henley-on-Thames, are devastated after thieves ransacked the place of worship earlier this week.

Sharing the update on the church’s Facebook, Fr Jeremy Tayler said it was “quite a serious robbery”.

He wrote: “It looks quite professional: safes cracked, metal tested to check whether it's silver or not. Most of our church vessels have been taken, as well as yesterday's cash collections, and they've also done a fair bit of damage and made a lot of mess.

“If anyone noticed anything unusual around St Mary's between the hours mentioned above, please let us know. No-one with any legitimate business was accessing or leaving the church between those times.”

Thames Valley Police has urged anyone with information about the break-in to come forward.

Earlier this month, a report looking into vandalism in historic churches found metal theft from historic places had declined while theft of stone and cultural artefacts had increased.

The Alliance to Reduce Crime Against Heritage published the report warning church communities to “remain vigilant”.

Church members have set up a JustGiving page to fundraise for the restoration of the church and the replacement of the stolen items.

Fr Tayler concluded: “Thank God no-one came to any harm.

“Please pray for our church family.

“Please pray for the thieves, that they would come to repentance, and seek to make reparation for their crimes.”

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