Church 'devastated' by £90k silver theft

It is thought thieves broke through a door to gain entry to the church

The theft of silver items worth £90,000 from Sherborne's medieval abbey was "devastating", the church's rector has said.

Items including a processional cross and bishop's crook were taken during an overnight break-in earlier this month.

Rev Martin Lee said the Dorset town was left "aggrieved and angry" by the crime.

Dorset Police said no arrests had been made and investigations were continuing.

Rev Martin Lee said he received messages of support following the theft

Mr Lee said he was convinced the thieves "knew exactly what they had come for", leaving less valuable silver plate items, but taking solid silver artefacts during the break-in overnight on the 6-7 August.

"They are very important items - valuable, but emotionally important to us as well - it's very sad.

"It was devastating to find they had been stolen."

Solid silver items worth £90,000 were stolen from the church

He said the town had been "so upset" following the break-in.

"We've had a huge wave of support from people in Sherborne, just saying how sorry they are.

"The abbey is theirs, it belongs to the whole of Sherborne. They feel aggrieved and angry as well."

Dorset Police said: "We are exploring numerous lines of enquiry including speaking to witnesses, trawling CCTV of the area and a forensic examination of the scene in an attempt to identify any suspects and recover the property stolen."

Following the break-in, police said they believed the offenders entered through the Abbey Close end of the building and exited near Church Lane.

Sherborne Abbey was founded by St Aldhelm in AD 705 and is regarded as one of the country's most beautiful parish churches.