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Pictures released of items stolen from Malmesbury Abbey

Malmesbury Abbey Decorative large silver plate and cup, with the plate having an enamel coat of arms in the middleMalmesbury Abbey
This large salver and wafer cup were given in memory of Malmesbury vicar George Windsor Tucker (1875-1906)

Police have released pictures of the items stolen from a 12th Century abbey.

Malmesbury Abbey - famous for its Norman architecture - was broken into on 16 November.

More than 10 historic objects, including a chalice from 1650, a communion set gifted by a Victorian MP and a Bishop's cross, were stolen.

Wiltshire Police has asked the public to notify officers if they see the items but has also told the thieves to "do the right thing" and return them.

Malmesbury Abbey Two silver chalice cups and a gold crossMalmesbury Abbey
Centuries-old chalice and a gold pectoral cross, which belonged to the first Bishop of Malmesbury, were stolen

Investigating officer PC Jo Phelps said: "These are irreplaceable items of significant historical importance to the Abbey and the local Malmesbury community and it's such a shame that someone has decided to steal them.

"They are part of the heritage of the Abbey dating back in some cases hundreds of years.

"If anyone has any knowledge of their whereabouts, or if you have seen them in passing or been approached about them, then please get in touch with us.

Malmesbury Abbey Silver items from 1800s next to measuring sticks - a flask with handle and lid and a cupMalmesbury Abbey
This 1847 communion set was given to the Abbey by MP Walter Powell

Malmesbury Abbey's vicar, the Reverend Oliver Ross, has said previously that he feels a "tremendous sense of disappointment" that someone would steal from a church and take away items of local heritage.

"I wouldn't steal from the House of God. Of course, following company policy, we will forgive," he said.

He added that he is hopeful the items will be returned.

The side of a police forensics van, part of a police car and the abbey in the background.
Police forensic teams were called to Malmesbury Abbey on 16 November

Malmesbury Abbey is a Norman building which dates from about 1180, and has been a Christian site since the Seventh Century when a monastery was founded there.

A wafer box given in the memory of Rev. Canon Charles McMillan, Vicar 1907-1919, was among the items stolen, along with several items made in 2017 - three silver communion cups and plates.

Anyone who has seen the objects or has information on their whereabouts is asked to contact Wiltshire Police via its website or by calling 101.

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