Abseiling burglars ransack a Hull church >vid

BURGLARS abseiled 20ft into a Hull church after removing tiles and sawing a hole in the roof.

Three computers were stolen in the raid on Elim Pentecostal Church, in Bourne Street, city centre.

Candles had also been lit, apparently so the intruders could see what they were doing as they set about ransacking the 1970s-built church.

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They caused damage by smashing three doors, wrenching metal bars off a window, destroying a burglar alarm and forcing open a safe.

The Rev David North, who plans to discuss the break-in at this Sunday's service, condemned the crime as "an act of wickedness".

Mr North believes the computers, along with two guitars – one belonging to his 14-year-old son – were not the burglars' intended target.

He said: "We think whoever did was after our Christmas collection money.

"Fortunately, no money was left in the church."

Photographs of weddings, christenings and other ceremonies were on the computers.

Mr North said: "It is wicked. Sadly, it is a reflection of the times. There was a time you could leave churches open."

The burglary happened between 1pm on Sunday and 2.10pm on Monday.

Mr North said: "Two members of the congregation passed the church and realised something was not right. They spotted the damage to the roof.

"An emergency exit had been opened from the inside. That's how they made their escape. A small window had also been broken as they threw things about in the church."

Services and church activities were cancelled this week.

Mr North said: "We had to cancel our midweek meeting on Monday, Bible study class on Tuesday, youth club on Wednesday and a coffee meeting.

"Computers can be replaced easily enough, but it is the disruption to our congregation's lives that upsets me the most."

A Humberside Police spokesman said: "This is a community facility that offers a number of services for many people in the area.

"The damage caused is very upsetting for everyone concerned.

"Officers have carried out house-to-house investigations in the area and the church has been visited by a police crime prevention officer to make it more secure.

"We are still trying to identifying those responsible and are asking for the public's help."

Anyone with information about the burglary should call police on 0845 6060222.