NORTH Wales Police are urging witnesses to come forward after a spate of church thefts.
The latest incident was reported to police on Saturday, January 15, when money was taken from a cash box at Henllan Church.
The first theft was reported on December 21, when money was also taken from a wooden unit at St Asaph Cathedral after the lock had been tampered with.
The same collection box in St Asaph Cathedral was raided again on Boxing Day.
“In space of a week the collection box money has been taken twice, names have been given to me and a suspect is in mind,” said Mr Dave Jones, St Asaph’s police community support officer.
On Christmas Eve police were alerted to a theft at Trefnant Church where cash had been taken from a wooden charity box after a padlock was forced and removed.
“Unfortunately, six incidents have now been reported where cash boxes or charity boxes have been damaged by an offender or offenders who have then stolen the money inside,” said PC 2794 Szabo, who is investigating the offences in Denbighshire.
“Both locations were again targeted at the beginning of the New Year. On January 5, we received a further report that money had been taken from a wooden unit at the Cathedral and on January 7, we had a report that a lid of a wooden charity box at Trefnant Church was prised open and money taken from inside after attempts were made to remove the box,” said PC 2794 Szabo.
Money was also taken from a collection box at St Michael’s Church, Caerwys, between December 20 and December 21, which was being collected for the Barnado’s charity.
Officers investigating are keeping an open mind as to whether the incidents are linked, but police are urging anyone with information or who may have witnessed the incidents to contact PC 2794 Szabo at Denbigh Police Station or her colleagues on 101.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers with information anonymously on 0800 555 111.