Saint Bridget’s Church in Bridstow, near Ross-on-Wye, has been a victim of repeated crime, with four incidents occurring over a six week period.

Phillip Powell, a church warden, told the Ross Gazette, that on two occasions, someone broke into the church and tried to get into the donations box; the box has been damaged, and appears to have been hit by something heavy.

On another occasion, a very rare, very beautiful stained glass window was smashed. It is estimated that this act alone caused £6000 worth of damage. A jar of sweets was the only item stolen.

During the fourth occasion, the perpetrator smashed another window to gain access to the room at the back of the church.

On this occasion, an eyewitness caught the culprit in the church. The witness, who cannot be named, informed the Ross Gazette that he was aware of the previous incidents at the church.

The eyewitness had seen a bicycle outside the church, which had sparked his curiosity. He went inside to investigate, and said that he saw the offender in the church, with a bible in one hand, and an unknown object in the other.

A police investigation into the above incidents is currently underway. If you have any information that you believe would assist the police, please call 101, and quote the incident reference number: 0531S 150715.

For the full story, see this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.