Shrewsbury church raiders destroy £15,000 stained glass window . . . to grab just £45

Police believe the beautiful stained glass window of St Mary's Church, known as St Catherine's Window, which is valued between £10,000 and £15,000, was deliberately kicked in by thieves during the break-in, which happened between 4.15pm on Tuesday and 8am yesterday.

The church, in St Mary's Street, is renowned across the world for its stained glass.

Workmen arriving at the church, which is now the only complete medieval church in Shrewsbury, discovered the break-in and called the police.

Only six inches of the head of St Catherine remains in the panel, which had originally been between three and four feet high.

It had been protected by iron grille work which the burglars prised off during the incident.

"This window, which is hundreds of years old, has survived conflict and wars and is irreplaceable," said PC Adrian Davies, from West Mercia Police.

"Whoever broke in has stepped over the line. This is a church, it is hallowed ground and they did not care what they damaged.

"Even in the criminal underworld, damaging a church and its property is frowned upon.

"The window was valued at up to £15,000 and dated from the 15th century. It appears that it was deliberately kicked in by the thieves during the time they were searching the property.

"We believe they gained entry through a first floor window. They then made an untidy search of the church, probably looking for safes and other items of value before taking just two donation boxes in which was all of £45.

"For some reason they have then decided to kick in the window after prising the grille away from the stonework.

"It is despicable. To target a church is pretty low. The custodians of the church are devastated, particularly as they do an awful lot for the community and to help out those less fortunate."

Robert Milton, from the Churches Conservation Trust, said: "The biggest tragedy of the whole thing is that people do not respect the building.

"We have been able to gather together the shards and hope we will be able to restore the window. When I got the call about the break-in my heart sank.

"They have broken a wonderful window for as little as £45 from the collection boxes. It is mindless."

Mr Milton added: "I look after 29 churches in the area for the trust and St Mary's really is the jewel in the crown.

"It is an outstanding medieval church. We have glass here of national and international importance."

Anyone who has any information about the incident should call PC Davies 3692 on 101 extension 5790.