Theft from Church Crypt in Hythe, Kent

Case information
Incident date
Country
United Kingdom
Place
Hythe
Categories
  • Social Hostility / Intolerance
Attack Against
  • Faith
Hate Crime & Violent Incidents
  • Theft
Place of Incident
  • Chapel
Bias Indicators
  • Time/Place/Location
Reported to Police
  • Yes
Response of Local Authorities
  • Investigated

Thieves broke a lock and stole 21 ancient skulls from the ossuary crypt of St. Leonard's Church in Kent sometime between July 15th and 16th. The church, known as the "church with the bones" houses the largest bone collection in the UK, including 700 year old remains of the people who died in the Battle of Hastings.

Reverend Andrew Sweeney called the crime 'shocking and unsettling' in a statement issued by police. "Each skull represents the mortal remains of a human being who deserves to rest in peace."

Source: BBC and The Daily Mail

Sources