03/01/13…Police warning after churches broken into

THE following is a message from Thames Valley Alert Information sent on behalf of Thames Valley Police:
THERE have been a number of burglaries to churches over the past few weeks in the Thames Valley Police area. Offender(s) have forced doors and windows to gain entry. Safes have been targeted.

Recent incidents in the South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse area are as follows, although no property was stolen:

St James Church ? Church Hill, Little Milton, Thame
Between 24/12/12 & 31/12/12

Harpsden Parish Church ? Harpsden Road, Harpsden, Henley
28/12/12 ? between 2.00pm & 4.10pm

Our Lady of Lourdes ? Crown Road, Wheatley
Between 30/12/12 & 31/12/12

St Marys Church ? Church Road, Wheatley
Between 30/12/12 & 31/12/12

St Thomas of Canterbury ? Manor Road, Goring
Between 30/12/12 & 31/12/12

Methodist Chapel ? Conduit Road, Abingdon
31/12/12 ? Between 11.00am & 7.00pm

Please be extra vigilant. If you see anyone acting suspiciously in or around churches or see any suspicious looking vehicles in the area please call the police on 101 as soon as possible or call 999 for crime in progress. Try to obtain descriptions and vehicle details, including colour, make/model and registration number.

If you have any information relating to this message please call the police on the non-emergency telephone number 101 and state you are responding to a Thames Valley Alert message.

Alternatively if you have information but wish to remain anonymous, please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online @ WWW.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

PHOTO: Courtesy of the Oxford City branch of Bell Ringers LINK