Thieves have struck at six churches in the Keighley area in as many days, smashing stained glass windows and grabbing collection boxes and cash.

In one raid, the thieves even climbed on to the altar area and ripped off the collection boxes after breaking in through a leaded window.

Keighley police suspect that all six raids - three on churches in Keighley, two in Silsden and one in Oakworth - could be linked.

A spokesman said: "Only small amounts of money were taken in each case, but the amount of damage caused by the break-in and search of the buildings is considerable. We can't say at this time that they are linked but it is possibly the same people on each occasion."

Father John O'Keefe, Priest at St Joseph's Church, Queen's Road, Keighley, where thieves forced the boxes from the altar, said: "It's a disgrace that the church should have been desecrated in this way. They have caused a lot of bother for a small amount of money."

The raid took place between 10.30am on January 3 and 9.15am the following day, with the thieves breaking in through a stained glass window.

St Anne's Church in North Street, Keighley, was targeted between 3pm on January 1 and 7am on January 2. The thieves broke a window and took collection boxes containing cash.

Raiders also broke in through a window at Christ Church in Colne Road, Oakworth, between 4pm and 9am on January 1. They searched cupboards in a first floor office and escaped with a bag and a small amount of cash.

Between 12.15pm on January 3 and 9.20am the following day, a collection box was stolen from St Andrew's Church in Church Street, Keighley. The culprits climbed in through a window and damaged woodwork in the vestry.

St James's Church in Kirkgate, Silsden, also had its vestry broken into when thieves got through a leaded window between 6pm on January 5 and 9.30am on January 6. They snatched a video recorder and mobile phone.

Church treasurer John Tyler said: "I am very angry - but at least they didn't desecrate the church.

"They broke a leaded window to get in and jemmied their way into the vestry and damaged a door panel to get into the library. They even tried to break into the bell-ringing chamber."

Collection boxes containing cash were also taken from Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Wesley Place, Silsden, after a leaded window was broken and the officers ransacked.

Police are appealing for information about the raids. Ring Keighley (01535) 617059 or 0800 555111 to speak to them.

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