A LAPTOP, projectors and charity box were stolen during a break-in at a church in Runcorn.
The sound system was also smashed and a filing cabinet was damaged by raiders when they broke into St Mark's Church in Beechwood Avenue sometime between 4pm last Tuesday, November 5 and noon on Saturday (November 9).
Detectives are appealing for information and footage from members of the public following a second church burglary in Runcorn on the same week.
The incident follows a burglary at Halton Trinity Methodist Church in Main Street, Halton Village, Runcorn.
On that occasion several church doors were damaged sometime between 9.30pm last Tuesday (November 5) and 8am the following day.
Detectives believe that the incidents may be linked and are urging anyone with information or CCTV or dashcam footage that may be relevant to their investigations to come forward.
Detective Constable Dawn Taylor, of Runcorn local policing unit, said: "It is truly despicable that two churches in the town have been broken into by burglars on the same week.
"Not only have they targeted places of worship, they have also caused significant damage to both churches.
"We are determined to establish who was responsible for the burglaries and make them face the consequences of their actions.
"Enquiries are ongoing and as part of our investigations we are appealing for anyone with information or footage regarding the burglaries, which we believe may be linked, to get in touch.
"Perhaps you witnessed something suspicious in the Beechwood or Halton Village areas of Runcorn last week or believe that you may know who was responsible for the burglaries, or have CCTV or dashcam footage of them.
"If you think that you can aid our investigations in any way please contact us at Runcorn Police Station."
Anyone with information or CCTV footage that may help detectives with their investigations should call Cheshire Constabulary on 101, quoting IML 560899 (St Mark’s Church) or IML 558206 (Halton Trinity Methodist Church), give the details via https://www.cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dashcam footage can be submitted online at https://cheshireconstabulary.egressforms.com.
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