Police in Perth are hunting for a callous thief who burgled a church and made off with cash.
The suspect slipped unseen into St John’s RC Church in Melville Street and then forced open a cash box.
He escaped with an unspecified amount of money, leaving the Very Reverend Martin Drysdale “saddened”.
Police Scotland has issued a description of a man sought in connection with the theft, which took place at around 2pm on Tuesday October 18.
He is thought to be aged around 30 and was wearing a black waterproof hooded jacket, dark trousers and black shoes at the time.
Monsignor Drysdale said: “Sadly someone broke into the votive offering candle stand and made off with a small sum of money.
“It is a little stand where people light candles and make a small donation to church causes.
“The church is always open to the public and we invite people to come in and say prayers and find a place of peace.
“That will not change. This will always be a place where people can come in and worship. It is obviously sad that sometimes people abuse that welcome.
“Thankfully it is a rare occurrence and usually the public are very good. I dearly hope that this is a one-off and that we will not see a repeat of this theft.”
Police Scotland said: “A cash box was forced open and a quantity of money stolen from St Johns RC Church in Melville Street, Perth, on October 18.
“Anyone with information about the theft or who saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area of the church is asked to call Police Scotland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Churches across Scotland have been targeted by thieves in recent years, with money, artefacts and – during a raid on Abercorn Church in the village of Abercorn, near Queensferry – even bibles.
The historic texts taken during that robbery were up to 200-years-old and were said to have been “priceless”.
Church buildings have also been hit, with metalwork stolen from the roofs of places of worship, causing hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.
In some cases the thefts have even threatened the continued existence of some churches.
