Bathgate church broken into

Jan 28 2010 by Marjorie Kerr, West Lothian Courier

Bathgate church broken into

POLICE are calling for help to trace heartless thieves who raided a West Lothian church.

Thieves broke into St John’s Church in Bathgate, and escaped with thousands of pounds worth of silverware.

The theft was discovered by a shocked member of the congregation who had arrived at the church to prepare for the service.

Criminals had broken a window and forced the door of the church vestry before ransacking the room, breaking into the church’s safe and stealing the silver baptismal bowl and eight communion plates.

Fortunately, the baptismal bowl has now been returned, but the silver-plated communion dishes – worth around £1500 – are still missing.

Church minister, Rev Duncan Shaw, said he was relieved the baptismal bowl has been returned to the church.

He said: “The bowl was found on the steps of St Mary’s Church on Thursday morning, and brought back to us.

“That was the most important item which was taken because it was gifted to the church when it was built in 1895.

“The bowl has been used in every baptism held at the church since then.

“I think it may have been returned because it was quite distinctive and engraved, whereas the other plates are plain silver and would probably be easier to sell.”

The theft took place at the church sometime between the night of Saturday, January 16, and the morning of Sunday, January 17.

A police spokesperson said: “This will have been a bitter blow to everyone involved with St John’s.

“Although the items taken are valued at around £4000, their historic and sentimental value is far greater to the church.

“We would appeal for anyone who may have seen some suspicious activity in the area at the time, or who has any information regarding this incident, to come forward.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Lothian and Borders Police on 0131 311 3131 or Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.

Historic silverware stolen in church break-in