THIEVES strolled into Tavistock's St Eustachius Church on Sunday — and walked away with a chest used as a collection box for donations towards church funds. But Tavistock vicar the Rev Michael Brierley is determined the crime will not force the church into locking its doors. The incident happened sometime between 12.30pm and 5pm — between the end of the morning service, when members of the congregation meet for coffee, and when someone was at the church to prepare for the evening service at 6pm. The chest is made of solid oak and although it was not secured to the floor it would have needed at least two people to carry it out of the church. It is not known how much was stolen from money collected through the purchase of cards, magazines, candles as well as from donations. Mr Brierley has appealed for any witnesses to come forward to help police catch the culprits and hopefully have the chest returned to St Eustachius. He said: 'Hopefully, someone saw something on Sunday afternoon. Whoever did this must have had a van waiting outside the church on Plymouth Road or in West Street. 'It is very important that the church stays open and unfortunately this seems to be the price that we must pay in order to do so. 'I ask people in the community to be vigilant and if they see anything like this happening to report it to the police immediately.' Mr Brierley, who was installed as Tavistock's vicar in January, stressed that there was no danger that the church would not be open to the public. He and members of the church were determined to leave it unlocked during the day for people to visit and enjoy the surroundings and peace. The church does operate a steward system between April and October, where volunteers man the church during the day but Mr Brierley said it was difficult to provide the service in the winter months when there were fewer visitors. PC Graham Callender also urged witnesses or anyone with information to contact him through the Crimestoppers number , 08452 777444, quoting JT 07251.
