Around £500 has been stolen from a church, which is also used as a food bank.
When volunteers went to open up Farnworth Baptist Church in Trafford Street at 9am today, they discovered that one of the fire doors had been ‘jimmied open’.
Upon entering the church, they discovered that a number of other doors had also been broken.
The church’s safe has been taken, along with some more money from drawers, totalling approximately £500. A television has also been stolen.
While disappointed, senior minister John Bradbury is relieved that no one was hurt.
He said: “Our team went home yesterday about 3.30pm. When they came in at 9am, they saw that someone has jimmied open one of the fire doors, broken a couple of the internal doors and stolen the safe and cash out of a drawer.
“In total they’ve taken around £500 in cash and done quite a significant amount of damage in breaking doors.
“It’s disappointing more than gutting, in a sense of ‘yeah they’ve got in’ but really it’s just material stuff and no one’s got hurt. We can get people in to do the work, we’ve got insurance cover so it’s just inconvenient and another stress at what is a very difficult time for our staff and volunteers.”
There is no CCTV at the church but Mr Bradbury is hoping the police can still catch those responsible.
He added: ”Police have been really helpful, they were here within 10-15 minutes and they’ve had a good look around.
“Whoever did it has carried the whole safe away, so there were at least two people and they probably had a vehicle.
“Police think they’ll probably find the safe dumped somewhere at some point so they’ll keep a look out.”
Councillor for Farnworth, Paul Sanders, described the crime as a “despicable act” made worse by the current situation with coronavirus.
He wrote on Facebook : “Deeply upsetting news coming from our friends at Farnworth Baptist Church this morning. This is a despicable act, all the more evil at this time of crisis.
“I know the whole Farnworth and Kearsley community send love, support and best wishes to the entire Farnworth Baptist team.
“The best in the majority will prevail over the worst in the minority.”
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "At around 9.20am on Thursday 26 March, police received reports of an earlier burglary at a religious premises on Trafford Street, Bolton.
"Officers attended and established that it happened between 5pm on Wednesday 25 March 2020 and 9.15am on Thursday 26 March 2020.
"No arrests have been made."
