Stolen church items returned

Sean Keywood Saturday, March 2, 2013
9:00 AM

Some of the silverware which was stolen from Otterton Church earlier this year has been returned.

Church leaders say they are pleased with the development – and hope more of the items will eventually turn up.

The theft took place between January 20 and January 24, when thieves walked into the unlocked church and stole items from the vestry, in what police described as a “despicable crime”.

Now, however, some of the items have turned up, after being found last Saturday dumped in Colaton Raleigh Church.

Raleigh Mission Community Rector Anne Charlton said: “We found them in a bag in a corner of the church – it’s about a third [of the items].

“We’re obviously delighted to have any of it back, but we would like to have the rest of it as well if the person concerned would like to leave it somewhere.”

Police are continuing their enquiries into the Otterton theft, and into what they believe is a linked theft at All Saints Church East Budleigh.

In that incident, a milk churn containing collection cash was taken between January 15-16.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting police reference KE/13/167 for the Otterton crime, or KE/13/123 for the East Budleigh crime.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or report online at www.Crimestoppers-uk.org