PEOPLE in Ingleton have been left shocked and dismayed following the break in and theft of silverware from a church at the heart of their community.

Thieves broke a window and forced open a door at St Mary's Church in Main Street  and once inside, they forced open a safe from where they took several items of silverware and clerical robes, including some items donated by families from the village over many years.

The Rev Nick Trenholme, team vicar of Ingleton and Chapel-le-Dale said support from the whole community and not just church-goers had been very heartening and appealed for anyone who may have seen anything to contact the police.

He said: "This has been very distressing for the whole community not only those who worship regularly at the church. Many messages of support have been received in person and shared on social media. The response from the community has been very heartening and encouraging in a difficult situation."

The break-in, is believed to have taken place overnight, on March 7 and March 8 and was discovered when a church volunteer arrived in the morning to find the church unlocked.

Rev Trenholme said: "We are grateful to the support of the Leeds Diocese for helping to find replacement silverware so quickly, obtained from the Royal Military Chaplains Museum in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire - items from closed military chapels or otherwise no longer needed.

"The police and our church insurers have been most helpful and I would encourage anyone with information about events in Ingleton on the night to contact the police. It was a cold and clear night, so visibility may have been good."

When the church volunteer arrived at the church on March 8 finding the church unlocked, they immediately thought something was wrong as the door is bolted from the inside. They found a window in the north aisle broken open and the clergy vestry door forced. The door to the safe was also forced, and a number of valuable items had been stolen.

The church immediately notified the police and its insurers and police have attended the church twice, to take a statement and to collect evidence. It is believed that those responsible for the break-in and theft left the building through the main south doors, as they are bolted from the inside, and were left open. There was no other damage to the building.

A spokesperson for the parochial church council (PCC) added: "Whilst some of (what was taken) may be of financial value what is more distressing is the fact that many items will have been donated by families from within the village over the years.

"Due to the damage to the window caused by the break-in we initially kept church locked during the day while we reviewed our security. The PCC has discussed this at a recent meeting and are of the opinion it is important to continue making our church available as a place of rest and reflection for all who wish to spend time there. The window has been made secure temporarily until a permanent repair can be arranged. We will consider what further security measures may be appropriate for our church but in the meantime look forward to welcoming parishioners and visitors inside our building.

"We would like to say thank you to the community for their support and for sharing our upset. If anyone has any particular concerns about this incident or wants to find out more about some of the works we have planned for the future of our church building please get in touch with Rev Nick Trenholme or speak to any of the PCC members."