In Vienne, thefts are increasing in churches

Thefts of objects of worship in churches… This is the case in Neuville-de-Poitou (Vienne). The burglars had only to force open the door of the sacristy, behind which the majority of the objects are kept. Chalices, ciboriums… most stolen religious objects have little market value, but burglaries are increasing rapidly. In the department, eight facts have been identified in recent months. The gendarmerie has created an investigation group to understand who the criminals are.

“Without stigmatizing a population, we can easily think that these are people who have an itinerant profile, who will lock in one place and then move to another”, confides Nicolas Chartoire, commander of the Poitiers gendarmerie company. Thefts in broad daylight which raise questions, because the churches must remain accessible. The priests of Vienne are called to redouble their vigilance.