A thief used a wheelchair to steal a sacred religious artefact from an NHS hospital chapel, prompting an appeal for its return.
Wirral's Arrowe Park Hospital reported that its tabernacle — a large, locked, cylindrical brass box used to store the Catholic Eucharist behind a church's altar — was taken after 12.50pm last Wednesday. A man wearing a surgical mask, a bobble hat and jogging bottoms was seen wheeling it away in the direction of nearby football pitches.
Police condemn theft
Merseyside Police's Wirral Neighbourhood Inspector Sharon Robinson said: "It is despicable to think that anyone would steal anything from a hospital. This tabernacle is of huge religious and spiritual significance, and we would appeal to anyone aware of its location to contact us so that we can return it to the hospital chapel and bring the offender to justice."
The tabernacle taken from the chapel is about 18in (45cm) to 24in (60cm) tall and cylindrical, with a dome top and sliding door.
Suspect description and investigation
The suspect was described as white and of slim build, wearing a grey/black bobble hat with a surgical mask, a dark-coloured coat, jogging bottoms and trainers. He was carrying a black Adidas bag with red text on it.
A police spokesperson said the force was examining CCTV footage as part of its investigation.
Public reaction
People responding to the hospital's appeal online described the theft as the "absolute lowest of the low". One person said: "What human could stoop that low?", while another said: "How could someone do this? [It's] beyond me. What would he want it for? Hope it's returned."
