Three men have been charged in connection with a series of thefts of valuable York stone paving slabs from churches across northern England. Police said the stones, worth thousands of pounds, were dug up in Lancashire, Greater Manchester, Staffordshire and Cheshire.
The first incident was reported by Ormskirk Parish Church in Lancashire in February. The men, all from Greater Manchester, face theft charges and appeared before Chester magistrates. One was also charged with handling a stolen vehicle and driving while disqualified.
Cheshire Police described York stone as 'highly desirable' for its durability and aesthetic appeal. The investigation involved forces from Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Staffordshire, working with Historic England.
