Just a few weeks after thieves targeted the church of St Mary's in Ross, there has been a break-in at the Rectory.

Thieves gained access to the Rectory in Church Street by smashing a window, shortly after 11pm on the night of Sunday, July 1st.

The Reverend Sarah Jones told the Ross Gazette: "I was half-asleep and I thought I heard a thud as if something had hit my door. A few seconds later the burglar alarm sounded and I knew that there were probably intruders in the house. It's not the best way to wake up."

Reverend Jones called the police and asked the controller to stay on the line whilst she checked the house room by room. "I knew the police were only a couple of minutes away and it was a comfort that the controller was still on the phone to me. I checked the houserooms downstairs but as soon as I opened the office door the light was on, the window was open and there was glass on the floor." It seems that the alarm frightened the intruders. They ran off without stealing anything.

When the Police arrived with dog handlers they searched the area but the offenders were nowhere to be seen. Some items were taken away from the Rectory for forensic examination.

Sadly, it is not unusual for Sarah to encounter people in the church behaving suspiciously, including one man who was found to be in possession of a crossbow dart. But Sarah feels the worst incident was the time she came across some men with a knife. "I think they were using the knife to try to open a locked door when I came in to church. I looked at the knife and at the guys, and they looked at me. Eventually the men left and the police were called.

"I do feel that the police do everything they can to come quickly in an emergency and they have always been professional and helpful. It's sad – it's only a just a few weeks since the forced break-in at St Mary's", she added.

Police confirmed that a small pane of glass had been smashed, with damage estimated to be between £50 and £100. Nothing appeared to have been taken.

Anyone with information relating to the above is invited to contact Ross Police on 0300 333 3000.