Biscuit thieves smash Sheffield church windows
- Published
St James' at Woodhouse, Sheffield, has been burgled six times in 12 months
Thieves stole tea and biscuits after smashing a 150-year-old stained glass window to break into a church.
St James' at Woodhouse, Sheffield, has been burgled six times in 12 months, with similar low-value items like coffee or milk taken in previous raids.
The Reverend June Fox said it had caused damage which would cost thousands of pounds to repair and appealed for the thieves to stop.
"It's the damage that's devastating for so little gain," she said.
The latest burglary was happened on 13 January when thieves broke through the makeshift wooden barrier following another theft the day before.
The leaded windows are thought to date from when the church was built in 1878 and cost about £1,000 to replace.
Thieves gained access to the church by smashing the patterned lead windows
"I feel really sad about the damage, given the age of the windows," Mrs Fox said.
"The last three of four times, they've taken tea bags, coffee, sugar, biscuits, something that we would gladly give people if they were in need."
She said she thought the thieves had waited between burglaries to allow church volunteers to replenish the stock.
The Reverend June Fox said the damage caused by the tea bag thieves had been "devastating"
A fundraising page had been set up to raise money to replace the windows, with any extra money to be put towards a CCTV system.
"That's so reassuring that this building means a lot to people," Mrs Fox added. "Woodhouse is an amazing community in that respect, it's really come together."
Appealing to the thieves to stop targeting the building, she added: "If you really in that much need for these goods, come and talk to us, come and have tea and toast"
South Yorkshire Police confirmed it had "fully investigated" the incidents, but no suspects had been identified.
"These investigations have since been filed pending any further investigative opportunities coming to light," a spokesperson said.
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