One of the area’s oldest churches suffered thousands of pounds in damage, while the culprits escaped with only a few pounds.
Thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused to one of the areas' oldest churches – with those responsible estimated to have made off with little more than a few pounds for their efforts.
St James Church in Hanslope was broken into earlier this month, and a Victorian stained glass window damaged to gain entry.
A waist high metal donation box, which had been bolted to the floor, was then removed in its entirety.
After failing to gain access to the box, it was disregarded by the thieves, and later recovered. Had they succeeded to break it open, they would have been just £3.60 richer.
A second box was opened and the contents stolen.
“I fear our thieves will be disappointed that their efforts will have yielded in all likelihood tens rather than hundreds of pounds, as many people now give electronically, and we empty the boxes frequently!” said Father Gary Ecclestone, Vicar of Hanslope & Castlethorpe.
“There are easier, and less disruptive, ways to earn £50. I would rather have just given them the cash,” he said.
Replacement of the glass needs to be carried out by a special Architectural and Ecclesiastical glass repair company with an estimated cost of several thousand pounds. Replacing the donation box will increase that figure.
The oldest part of the church dates back to the 11th Century, and the building remains at the centre of the community; with worshippers, and the many community groups who make use of its space for activities.
The day following the break in, St James Church welcomed dozens of youngsters for its Children's Holiday Club.
Father Ecclestone sent his thanks to the community which has rallied following the incident, which happened overnight on August 3.
“Thank you to villagers for their support, and for generous donations too, those received this week have covered the insurance excess," he added.
“We are really very grateful for people’s support in different ways, this is a great community!”
Anyone with any information, or doorbell footage from Newport Road, The Green, Market Square or Church End on the night of the break-in, is asked to contact the police.
