The panel, depicting two Christian saints, was taken from the original Abbey pulpit, which is in a fenced area of the church's grounds
Shrewsbury’s Abbey Church (Image: West Mercia Police)
A historic stone panel worth £20,000 which dates back almost 1,000 years was cut from a church and dumped in undergrowth. The panel, depicting two Christian saints, was taken from Shrewsbury's Abbey Church in Abbey Foregate.
It was taken from the original Abbey pulpit, which is in a fenced area of the Abbey's grounds. The construction of the original part of the Abbey is believed to have begun in 1083 with additional parts added in later centuries.
The theft was reported to police on November 7 and it was found, hidden in undergrowth, on December 12.
Historic England will repair any damage to the panel and restore it to its rightful place in the pulpit.
A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: "Finding the panel is great news but we’d like to catch the thieves too. If you have any information that can help with our enquiries we’d like to hear from you. Please email PC jono.lightfoot@westmercia.police.uk quoting crime reference number 22/112145/22.
"Alternatively, you can contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 55511 or via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org"
source: www.birminghammail.co.uk
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