Watch: Shrewsbury Abbey damaged by burglars who broke through a 400 year-old door

Our video and pictures show the extent of the damage caused in a break-in at one of Shropshire’s most historic churches.

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Shrewsbury Abbey was burgled over night between Thursday night (February 13) and Friday morning.

Nothing was taken, but two doors were damaged, one believed to be Victorian and the other around 400 years old.

Parish administrator Steve Swinden with part of the door at Shrewsbury Abbey which was damaged in a break-in

Steve Swinden, parish administrator at the church, estimates the damage could cost as much as £6,000 to repair. He showed us around to see the damage.

“We haven’t had anything like this before,” he said.

“There’s nothing of value on the premises. It’s all locked away in safes. We don’t keep money here. There’s plenty to look at, but very little to steal.

“Fortunately the rest of this place was not compromised in the raid.”

He added: “There is a lot of traffic and pedestrians going past that door day and night.

“If anybody saw anything the least bit suspicious, do please contact the police. They are very much on the case.”

Shrewsbury Abbey was broken into via the door at the side of the building which runs parallel to Abbey Foregate

Windows at Shrewsbury Abbey were damaged in windy weather recently

The lock was broken on the entrance door, which is believed to be around 400 years old. It has since been professionally secured

PC Graham Donaldson, rural and business crime officer from West Mercia Police, said: “We are appealing to the Shrewsbury community for information following a burglary at Shrewsbury Abbey.

“The burglary took place between 9.45pm on Thursday, February 13 to 8.30am on Friday, February 14.

“Entry was forced to the side access door facing Abbey Forgate, adjacent to the main route out of town,

“Did you see anything suspicious or have any information that might help enquiries?

“Please get in touch with us by calling 101 and quoting incident number 00096_I_14022025.

“If you aren’t comfortable contacting us directly, you can pass on information anonymously to the independent charity, Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111 or by visiting their website crimestoppers-uk.org

“Thank you for your help. It is only by the police and the public working together that we can prevent and detect crime.”

The door has been professionally secured since the burglary.