Latest news with #Yelverton
Telegraph
15-05-2025
- Telegraph
Stolen wooden eagle sawn off church lectern returned
A treasured hand-carved oak eagle sawn off a lectern at a parish church by a thief has been returned. The criminal made off with the 1.5ft wooden sculpture, weighing 5lb and thought to be at least 100 years old, from St Paul's Church in Yelverton, Devon, after forcibly cutting it off on Monday evening. The culprit had even put a huge Bible to one side before carrying out the act. However, the eagle, thought to be worth hundreds of pounds, has now been returned after an anonymous caller tipped off the West Dartmoor Mission Community to its whereabouts, the BBC reported. It was found outside a house near the church. It thanked the public for sharing information about its disappearance, adding it was 'very grateful'. Rev Andrew Thomas earlier said: 'There's no CCTV to see exactly what happened but... there have been a variety of descriptions for the man, with some saying stocky and some thin, ages have ranged from late 20s to early 50s. 'They had moved the 2kg Bible and placed it to one side, almost in a respectful manner. 'They then took a saw and cut the eagle off. We are just shocked by the brazenness of it. 'It is all just rather sad and disappointing... It's a unique piece, it's clearly been carved by hand sometime in the past. It is an antique and, in that respect, irreplaceable. 'I don't want to put up CCTV cameras as this is a place of worship and I feel like people should be able to do that in peace but I am not completely taking it off the table.' Sgt Tom Ottley, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: 'The local team are making inquiries and are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch.' In recent years, criminal gangs have been targeting churches to steal expensive sacred treasures. Two years ago, thieves used dynamite to blow open a safe at the Lady St Mary Church in Wareham, Dorset, to steal tens of thousands of pounds of silver. Other churches have lost historical and valuable chalices, candlesticks, crucifixes and plates.
BBC News
15-05-2025
- BBC News
Sawn-off eagle lectern returned after anonymous call
A hand-carved wooden eagle stolen from a church in Devon has been sculpture was sawn off a lectern at St Paul's in Yelverton on Monday evening, the Reverend Andrew Thomas West Dartmoor Mission Community said the eagle had been returned to the church after an anonymous caller tipped them off to its thanked the public for sharing information about its disappearance, adding it was "very grateful". The church mission said the sculpture had been recovered from outside a house near the church in said police were still interested in any information relating to the disappearance of the sculpture.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- BBC News
Devon church 'deeply sad' after eagle lectern sculpture stolen
A hand-carved wooden eagle has been stolen from a church in Devon. Rev Andrew Thomas, of St Paul's in Yelverton, said the sculpture was sawn off a lectern on Monday evening. Mr Thomas said there had were clear signs of sawing on the carpet and described the theft as "deeply sad". Devon and Cornwall Police said the "local team are making inquiries". He said: "I was deeply sad that someone thought this act of violence and entitlement was something that was ok to do."We work very hard here at St Paul's Yelverton to make the churches as inclusive and welcoming and open as we possibly can."So, the fact someone thought this was a great thing for them to do, to come in and do this, was deeply, deeply sad and really quite upsetting."It's a unique piece, it's clearly been carved by hand sometime in the past. "We don't know how old it is, we think it is an antique."It is, in that respect, irreplaceable, so, yes... there is a little bit of anger and a little bit of annoyance." Sgt Tom Ottley, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "The local team are making enquiries in relation to this report and are appealing for anyone with information to get in touch."If you were in the area and witnessed any suspicious behaviour, please make sure you tell us. "If you live in the area and may have dashcam, CCTV or doorbell footage which may help, you can send that in too."Rev Thomas added: "If anyone sees anybody walking down the street with a great big eagle under their arm, please do give me a call; or better than that, call the police because we would like it back."
