Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves broke into a church in Banbury and stole a number of items this week.

Overnight on Wednesday to Thursday between 4.30pm and 10.30am, they gained entry via the roof to the vestry area of St. Mary's church on Horsefair.

Police said they completed a very messy search in which a silver chalice was broken and a safe thrown down the stairs damaging the wall and wooden steps.

They stole the following:

  • Two small solid silver plates (travelling communion sets); one 4ins across and the other 5-6ins.
  • An Hitachi CPX444 data projector worth £1,600
  • A blue CD player/radio.

PC Beth Cocker, of Banbury police station, said: "Whoever got into the church has made a real mess, and totally unnecessarily. As well as stealing these essential items they have caused a lot of damage, even throwing the communion wine over almost everything in the vestry.

"St Mary's is a Banbury landmark used not just by the congregation but large sections of the community and this break-in will have a wide-reaching effect.

"If you saw anyone acting suspiciously around St Mary's on Wednesday night or Thursday morning, then please get in touch."

PC Cocker can be contacted via the Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505.

If you don't want to talk to police and don't want to leave your name, call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.