Police have launched a criminal investigation after thieves targeted one of Teesside’s most historic landmarks, breaking into St Cuthbert’s Church on Billingham Green and making off with a quantity of cash.
The burglary occurred at the ancient site sometime between midday on Monday, November 9, and 10.30am on Tuesday, November 10. During the raid, offenders caused significant damage to the historic building, including breaking a lead window and forcing open a security lock to gain entry.
While Cleveland Police have confirmed that a quantity of money was stolen during the incident, officials have yet to disclose the exact sum taken. Forensic investigators have been reviewing the scene, and officers are now appealing to the public for any information that might lead to the identification of those responsible.
A spokesperson for Cleveland Police stated: “Police received a report of a break-in at St Cuthbert’s Church in Billingham which occurred between midday on Monday and 10.30am on Tuesday. Damage was caused to a window and lock and a quantity of cash was stolen. Anyone with information is urged to contact us on 101, quoting reference number 225042.”
The break-in comes at a particularly sensitive time for the church, which has stood as a cornerstone of the Billingham community for nearly 1,200 years. The Grade I listed building, which dates back to the Anglo-Saxon era of 845 AD, has recently been at the center of a local campaign to save its future.
Facing the pressures of rising maintenance costs and declining attendance, the church had been scheduled for closure in 2024. For months, dedicated volunteers and parishioners have been tirelessly fighting to preserve the site, hoping to maintain its status as a place of worship and a symbol of local heritage. News of the burglary has come as a heavy blow to those working to keep the doors of the historic institution open.
Community members and local preservationists have expressed their dismay at the violation of such a storied building. As the police investigation continues, residents are being encouraged to come forward if they noticed any suspicious activity in the vicinity of the church green during the timeframe of the break-in.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or anyone with relevant CCTV or dashcam footage from the area, to contact Cleveland Police immediately. As the community rallies to support the church, the focus remains on securing the building and holding the perpetrators to account for the damage and theft inflicted upon this ancient sanctuary.
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