Nativity figures and foodbank donations stolen from Somerset village

Thieves have stolen figurines from a cherished church nativity scene in Congresbury, Somerset, and also raided its foodbank donations.

Staff at St. Andrew's Church discovered the crime had taken place when they entered the building on Saturday, April 25.

The raiders forced open the door and got into the church porch before making their way to the vestry where the nativity scene was stored.

Mary and Jesus were taken from the Christmas display, along with one of the Three Kings, an ox, and the baby's manger. Several characters from a smaller nativity set also disappeared.

The church vicar, Matt Thomson, took to Facebook to appeal for help in tracing the stolen items, saying: "Could people have a look around their gardens and when they are out and about on their daily walks in case the characters or the Foodbank Box are lying around somewhere."

READ MORE:

• The West Country wishes Colonel Tom Moore Happy 100th Birthday during Covid-19

• Controversial summer dog restrictions proposed for parts of North Devon

• Cafe owner warns they can't continue giving lunch if supplies run out

The church serves as a collection point for for the village foodbank, which distributes to those in need locally, and sends any surplus supplies to the foodbank in Weston-super-Mare.

The vicar also confirmed that the thieves were captured on a neighbour's CCTV, and the incident has been reported to the police.