Bell Stolen from Berlin Church - Widespread thefts from church properties
Unknown persons have stolen a church bell weighing around half a tonne from the premises of the Protestant church in Berlin-Heinersdorf. "This is a very painful loss for me and the congregation," pastor Anne-Kathrin Finke said.
The theft was discovered on Sunday, July 16. The Berlin police confirmed that officers recorded the theft on Sunday and are investigating unknown persons. "For us, the bell has above all an idealistic value. It cannot be replaced," emphasised Finke. The bell dates back to 1513 and is made entirely of bronze.
In a media interview, the German historian Wille Korte commented on the prevalence of church thefts: "Sometimes I get the impression that they're a criminal gang that travels around the country for a while stealing church property - until they're eventually caught."
Sources: rbb24.de, Berliner Zeitung
Image: gemeinde-heinersdorf.de