Thieves raid Alfington church

THIEVES raided Alfington s church collection box on Sunday, but failed to take the contents of it safe-even though it was unlocked and its keys were on top of it.

THIEVES raided Alfington's church collection box on Sunday, but failed to take the contents of it safe-even though it was unlocked and its keys were on top of it.

Police said the criminals found the safe, in a private vestry of the church of St James and St Anne, and damaged it as they tried in vain to prize it open.

Despite their efforts, the offenders failed to notice the safe was unlocked and its keys were on top of it.

The thieves did make off with bank notes to the value of �10 from the church collection box, which was also damaged.

Police have warned of a spate of church thefts throughout Devon, and asked anyone with information over the Alfington incident to contact them on 08452 777444, crime reference: KO-09-621.