Police are investigating a spate of break-ins at churches and chapels across Caerphilly County Borough.
Since mid-May, eight churches have been targeted. Police have stepped up uniformed patrols and have also deployed plain-clothes officers in a bid to stop future raids.
Churches and chapels in Crosskeys, Newbridge, Cefn Fforest, Gelligaer, Blackwood, Pengam, and Aberbargoed have all suffered break-ins.
Cash has often been the target for thieves, but in many cases they have left empty-handed. Despite thieves being unsuccessful, thousands of pounds worth of damage has been caused to the buildings.
Detective Inspector Amanda Thomas, of Gwent Police, said: “These are crimes on our community and these unscrupulous attacks of damage and theft will not be tolerated.
“In some cases nothing has been stolen, but these criminals have caused damage to the building, including items and furniture within, which is not only costly but sometimes irreplaceable.
“We’re keen to hear from witnesses or anyone who may have seen anything out of character in these areas over the last few weeks, if this is you, please call 101, quoting the log number or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
“We’re now investigating each of these incidents and extra patrols have now been put in place by uniformed and plain-clothed officers but I’d like to remind people living in the community to remain vigilant and always report any suspicious activity on 101 and if you see a crime taking place, ring 999 immediately.”
The eight churches and chapels targeted
Sometime between Thursday May 5 and Tuesday May 17, St Catherine’s Church, in Gladstone Street, Crosskeys was broken into. Nothing was stolen. (Log 126 – 17/05/16)
Crosskeys Pentecostal Church, Gladstone Street in Crosskeys, was broken into sometime between 4pm on Monday May 9 and 6.15pm on Tuesday, May 10. The door was forced open and cash was stolen Log 405 – 10/05/16).
On Saturday, June 4, the Pentecostal Church, on Golden Grove, Newbridge, was broken into when the UPVC door was forced open. Nothing was stolen (Log 182 – 04/06/16).
Between 10pm on Friday June 3, and 5.30pm on Saturday, June 4, St Thomas’ Church, Waun Borfa Road, in Cefn Fforest, was broken into. Nothing was stolen (Log 138 – 04/06/16).
On Saturday, June 4, there was an attempted break-in at Horeb Baptist Chapel, Castle Hill, Gelligaer. A wooden panel was put through. Nothing was stolen (Log 396 – 07/06/16).
Sometime between 1pm on Sunday, June 12 and Wednesday 9.30am on Wednesday, June 15, St David’s Church, St David’s Road, Pengam was broken into when the rear door was forced open and cash was stolen (Log 94 – 16/06/16).
St Margaret’s Church, High Street, Blackwood, was broken into between 8.30pm on Tuesday, June 14 and 8.30am on Wednesday, June 15. Nothing was stolen but around £10,000 worth of damage was caused to the church (Log 63 – 25/06/16).
On Wednesday, June 15, Caersalem Baptist Chapel, on Bedwellty Road, Aberbargoed, was broken into when a wooden door was forced open. Nothing was stolen (Log 148 – 15/06/16).
Nothing is sacred to the increasing number of knuckle dragging buffoons that live amongst us.
We are sinking lower and lower as the barrel fills up with more filth.