Bench theft a blow for Doncaster East church

A HEARTLESS theft from a memorial garden housing the ashes of late parishioners at the Doncaster East Baptist Church has left the community reeling.

Two weeks ago, thieves made off with two large wooden bench seats from the church’s Memorial Peace Garden.
The benches had been donated by two local women in memory of their late husbands whose ashes were interred in the garden.
Associate pastor Hal Grix said the theft had disturbed the congregation and wider community.
“It was a place for everyone to find peace and quiet so to think people targeted it is very distressing,” he said.
“It’s very sad for us that a final resting place has been disrupted.”
Mr Grix said the church had been robbed several times in the past two years.
“We’ve had a couple of break-ins and money has been stolen and property damaged,” he said.
“I’m baffled by people attacking churches because we don’t have much here.”
Mr Grix said the benches would be replaced as soon as possible but would lack the sentimental value.
Doncaster police Sen-Constable Di Davidson said she had door-knocked and letterbox-dropped the area for information to no avail.
“We’ve canvassed the neighbourhood but nobody appears to know anything,” she said.
“It’s a horrible thing to happen.”
The seats were chained down and extremely heavy so Sen-Constable Davidson said bolt cutters and a vehicle must have been involved.
Anybody with information is urged to call Doncaster Police on 8841 3999.

(Reproduced from The Manningham Leader, 21st Dec 2011)

Gardien Comment: Nothing has any meaning to thieves and so absolutley nothing is safe from attack. Never assume that anything is too heavy or awkward to be moved - see the security advice at www.garden-security.co.uk