Fourth statue stolen from Salford church – “We’re all perplexed”

A fourth statue has been stolen from St Luke’s church in Irlams o’th Height.

The theft of the ‘Our Lady’ statue from the church on Swinton Park Road is believed to have occurred in the last couple of days. St Luke’s claim that this was there only remaining statue after three other statues were stolen earlier this year in January.

A huge statue of Jesus dating back to the 1920s had been “sawn down” and stolen in January along with a kneeling angel and kneeling figure of St Bernadette.

Communications officer for the church group, The Parish of Our Lady of Hope, Paul Ashton, said: “We are all perplexed as to why this is happening.

“You can see from our comments on Facebook how disgusted people are.”

Paul told Salford Now that he’s been in touch with a dealer in the Netherlands today (April 8) who’s advised Paul on how the statues typically leave the UK. Paul believes the statues are being stolen for profit as there is a trade in religious statues.

While the police are investigating the robbery, parishioners and neighbours are doing what they can to piece together any information that may be useful in recovering the statues.

The Parish of Our Lady of Hope is appealing to anyone who has CCTV or doorbell footage or other vital information that could help them, to come forward.

Paul added: “We want to get the word out there and we want people to come forward with any information if they know anything.”