POLICE are hunting thieves who broke into a church and stole a charity box raising money for a child with cancer.

The incident happened at St Joseph’s Church, Audley, Blackburn, between midnight and 7.30am on Monday.

Police said the thieves forced their way into the church and stole £1,400 cash from a safe, the charity box containing £200, £290 which was not in the safe and four bottles of whisky. They also caused around £200 damage.

No arrests have been made and police are appealing for witnesses.

A spokesman for the church posted on Facebook: “To those who broke into St. Joseph’s Church, Social Centre and Presbytery: it isn’t the physical damage you caused, or the inconvenience, or even the money, it is that when you steal the collection box of a child needing treatment for cancer, when you desecrate a Church, trying to break into the Tabernacle, the most Holy of places, you show a darkness in your souls that invites only pain on yourself and those around you.

“For what you have done, know this: you will feel no joy, no peace, no security of mind, no sense of safety - you will not have a day’s luck or feel a moment’s consolation, not you or your families, until you return what you have stolen, admit what you have done and look to repair the damage to your souls. This is the wages for your sin: despair.

“Anybody who knows who has done this, I invite them to contact the church, as to cover up such a blasphemy is to bring darkness on your own souls.”

A police spokesman said: “We received a report St Joseph’s Church, Blackburn was broken into between midnight and 7.30am on October 15.

“They have searched several areas of the church but found nothing. They have then broke into the living quarters and stolen a number of items including £1,400 from a safe, £290 cash and £200 from a child cancer charity box.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101