Callous thieves stole a charity box from a church after breaking in by smashing down the door - with a child's GRAVESTONE.
Rev. Roland Barnes has blasted the "morally empty" people behind the theft at St David’s Church in Blaenau Ffestiniog.
It took place sometime between 12.30pm on February 9, and 5.15pm on February 10.
St David’s Church in Blaenau Ffestiniog
The vicar revealed that the raiders used a piece of a child’s gravestone to smash the window and get into the church.
He said: "It’s rather sad that people feel desperate enough to do things like that, unless they are totally morally empty. I wonder if they feel any remorse or guilt.
"It’s rather ridiculous because they’ve done over £500 worth of damage to the church, just to steal a few pence from the charity box.
"They smashed the window at the back of the church, which even had a strengthening steel bar across it.
"They used a piece of a child’s gravestone to smash it. They then smashed the door into the body of the church.
Rev. Roland Barnes has blasted the "morally empty" people behind the theft at St David’s Church in Blaenau Ffestiniog
"They used a fire extinguisher to small open a collection box placed where people can light candles for their loved ones. There can’t have been much in it.
"We are insured but we have a £500 excess. So whatever happens, we’re going to be £500 out of pocket, just for a few pence."
And Rev Barnes said that there has been a spate of thefts in the area, adding: "I suspect it makes people a bit more cautious about locking their doors."
A spokesperson for North Wales Police said: “Sometime between 12.30pm on Sunday, 9 February 2020 and 5.15pm Monday, 10 February, unknown person(s) have smashed a lead window at the rear of St David’s Church, Blaenau Ffestiniog.
"[They] entered the locked church where they have smashed a small cash box used to collect donations from church goers.
"A substantial amount of damage has been caused by the offender(s) in gaining entry into the church and anyone with any information is asked to contact us."
Police can be contacted on 101 quoting ref. 20000089390.
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