Windermere church targeted by burglars for third time in 18 months (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Windermere church targeted by burglars for third time in 18 months

11:57am Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News

THE United Reformed Church, on Lake Road, Windermere, has been targeted by thieves for the third time in 18 months.

The intruders entered the building and smashed their way into two cupboards - including one that was already unlocked.

Although money was once kept in the targeted cupboard, it has not been since the church was first burgled less than a year-and-a-half-ago.

Now church secretary, Moira Rose, is urging would-be thieves to think twice before targeting the church - and says that those who need help should simply ask for it.

Mrs Rose said: “We’ve been broken into twice before and then again last week.

“The cupboard was in a back kitchen.

“The person didn’t go into the church itself. We don’t think they went anywhere else apart from the kitchen.

“We think it must have been the same person who got the money 18 months ago because they went straight to the place where we used to keep a small amount of money - but haven’t done since the first time it happened.”

The church now faces an estimated £1,000 bill to replace the cupboards, which stood wall-to-wall and ceiling-to-ceiling.

Mrs Rose continued: “It is a lot of money for us to find.

“We’re a church so we will always help people - we would just tell anyone who needs help to simply ask us!”

The first time the church was targeted thieves made off with around £30 and some Fairtrade chocolate.

The second time a lock was forced but the would-be burglars took nothing.

The most recent incident saw the would-be burglars escape empty-handed - although they left a hammer in an outside bin.

It is thought they entered the church while a class was being held in the main hall, on the evening of Tuesday, March 12.

Police are now investigating the incident. They have asked that anyone with information contact them on 101.