POLICE are still appealing for witnesses after thieves broke into a church and a school in Cricklade last month.

St Sampson’s Church, in Bath Road, and Prior Park Prep School were both targeted overnight between December 4 and 5.

Thieves got into the historic church, parts of which date back to the early 11th century, and broke into a safe containing money and silver and stole £60 in cash.

Officers arrived on the scene but found no sign of the offenders. They said there was a possibility the break-in was related to similar incidents in the area.

Nothing was stolen from the school but it is thought the intruders tried to break into a safe on the premises.

Police also went to a property in Fullers Avenue, in Cricklade where they discovered cannabis and fined the occupants £80.

Despite recent police activity in the area, Cricklade and Purton Neighbourhood Policing Team say there is a decrease in reported crime compared to the same period last year.

PC Lee Kuklinski said: “Both offences are still under investigation and inquiries are continuing.

“We have also seen some thefts in and around Purton, ranging from burglary to theft from sheds.

“Please be careful to secure your property and report any suspicious activity.

“During December, acting on information given to us by the community we carried out a drugs warrant in Fullers Avenue, which resulted in the discovery of cannabis and subsequently the issuing of £80 fixed penalty tickets to a male and female at the address.

“Also during this period nine arrests were made, which included offences such as drink driving, theft, ABH and criminal damage.

“Within the Cricklade and Purton NPT beat area reported crime and anti-social behaviour are down by 17 per cent compared with the same period last year.”

Anyone with any information relating to the burglaries at Cricklade can call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.