Shock after break-in at St Mary's Church in Ingleton

Thieves broke a window and forced open a door at St Mary's Church in Main Street, Ingleton,  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.

St Mary's in Ingleton (Image: Submitted)

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: "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 to find 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 several 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: "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."