‘Thou shalt not steal' painting stolen
Thieves have stolen a painting of the Ten Commandments featuring the decree 'Thou shalt not steal'.
The depiction of the religious rules was among three Victorian murals taken from St Andrew's Church in Little Steeping, Lincolnshire, in an overnight raid last week.
Basil Harwood, 80, who has been its churchwarden for more than 10 years, said: 'They probably wanted to learn a bit more about the commandment 'Thou shalt not steal'.
'They clearly didn't read it when they stole it. And if they did, they obviously didn't understand it.'
Lincolnshire Police, which is investigating, said the value of the stolen artworks was unknown but they 'have sentimental value to the church and its members'.
The other paintings, also in heavy wooden frames, depict Moses delivering the commandments and the Lord's Prayer.
Muddy clue
Mr Harwood believes that one or multiple culprits may have posed as visitors during the church's opening hours and unlocked a side door so that they could break in overnight.
An extension cable was also taken in the raid but the church building was not damaged.
The only things left behind after the theft was discovered on Feb 23 were muddy footmarks on the carpet.
Mr Harwood said: 'I suspect it was someone who was desperate to get some cash, or perhaps it was an organised thing when they looked around and saw what they could shift.'
He added that the church would remain open to members of the public.
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