Stolen!

[Nigel Brooks]

One of the 'other hats' I wear is as Churchwarden of my local parish church.

Sadly, last night someone broke in and stole a unique silver cross.

Just on the 'off-chance' that a Bees fan sees it for sale in a shop somewhere I've copied the link to our site below.

http://www.thomashanwell.org.uk/stolen.htm

A large drink from me awaits anyone who can help in it's recovery.

Thanks folks.

[nocoat]

Originally posted by Nigel Brooks

Sadly, last night someone broke in and stole a unique silver cross.
.

Bastards.. will nick anything that aint nailed down :nono:

[Bigbee]

Originally posted by nocoat
Bastard.. I'll nick anything that aint nailed down :nono: :nono:

[CJC]

Terrible, how did they manage to get away with it, seems very heavy. From a Church too, that's about as low as it gets.

[Nigel Brooks]

A walk in theft CJC while the church was open.

Incidentally, if anyone would like to put the link on their own website I would be very grateful.

The cross is irreplaceable, I will try anyting to get it back.

Equally, I don't want this 'person' to get away with it.

Cheers all.

[CJC]

Just a suggestion Nigel but have you searched in the park and along the canal at all? The size and inconspicuousness of the object could have put off a possible thief who came in on the off-chance and they've dumped the cross.

Good luck.

[TOMOGP]

Regrettably this is "big business" and is either on its way or well overseas by now, it is unlikley to have been just a "walk in " Theft quite possibly already noted and quite possibly sold prior to the "walk in"

And the reason so many of our churches are now locked when unoccupied

[Nigel Brooks]

Originally posted by TOMOGP
Regrettably this is "big business" and is either on its way or well overseas by now, it is unlikley to have been just a "walk in " Theft quite possibly already noted and quite possibly sold prior to the "walk in"

And the reason so many of our churches are now locked when unoccupied

Sadly, you are probably right, but it won't stop us trying to make it difficult for the thief to sell it in the UK.

I guess anyone who visits the church could 'note for theft'. I will not accept that this is the society in which we live. What next, body searches before and after every service?

I still pray that we get the cross back, but every day which passes makes it more unlikely.

Keep spreading the word around those websites folks. I'll happily e-mail anyone a poster if they can get it put up in local shops etc.

[Beebop]

Nigel,the Antiques Trade Gazette have a stolen item section,usually from Police and Insurers but may be worth a call.020 7420 6648,Samantha Dack.This publication is read by most people in the trade as well as auction houses.

[Nigel Brooks]

Beebop

Thank you very much, I shall call them on Monday.

[Nigel Brooks]

Thanks to everyone I met at the Funday today who enquired about the theft.

Nothing positive yet I'm afraid. :(
Beebop, thanks again, we have a 'stolen' classified going into the 8th June edition of the ATG, Sam Dack could not have been more helpful.

[Beebop]

Nigel,I've seen the article in the ATG and it is prominently displayed with write-up and picture on the News page which is much better than amongst the mass of stolen goods.

[Nigel Brooks]

Nigel,I've seen the article in the ATG and it is prominently displayed with write-up and picture on the News page which is much better than amongst the mass of stolen goods.

Yes, the Gazette have been amazingly helpful, thanks again for putting me in touch with them.

For anyone else interested the links are below.

www.antiquestradegazette.com/newsletter/news_summary.asp (scroll down to see the article about the cross),

or www.antiquestradegazette.com/newsletter/news_detail.asp?id=4390&pt=nb&keywords=&phrase=no

[Nigel Brooks]

Thanks to everyone who has taken a look at this thread.

Unfortunately no news about the cross, but, we keep hoping.

Still, thanks again everyone for your thoughts and suggestions.

As Shaw Taylor used to say on 'Police Five' (yes, I AM that old) 'Keep 'em peeled'.

[nocoat]

I take it these ****s were never found? :mad2:

[Nigel Brooks]

Still no news :(

Was warned that sometimes this kind of thing can take 'years' to surface :( :(


So, guess we'll just be patient (with my kind and considerate Christian churchwarden's hat on) before we find out hopefully who stole it and I can arrange a good kicking (with my Mr. Angry hat on).

[Wise old Bee]

Jesus wasn't averse to dishing out the odd slap, ask the moneylenders in the temple. A spot of "muscular christianity" can often work wonders.

[CJC]

Have the police sent the details of the theft to other countries? I'd imagine something like that would be stolen to order and probably exported.

[Nigel Brooks]

Yes. Details were 'across the pond' within 24 hours an also to Europe via contacts in auction houses. My guess is that it is either at the bottom of the Grand Union canal (one day then it will return) or adorning some private chapel (hope they burn) or, worst case, has been melted for scrap.

[chippendale]

Nigel,

Things do turn up. When I worked for the LBH someone stole a copy of Speeds Map of England published 1610. The Arts & Antique squad recovered the book. The thief tried to sell it, but the details had been published to all book shops.