Would-be thieves were caught attempting to steal lead from the roof of a Norfolk village church.
Officers are appealing for information following the incident in Bradenham, near Dereham.
It took place at St Mary's Church in Church Street some time between 6pm on Tuesday and 11am on Wednesday.
Six large panels of lead were removed from the porch roof.
The offenders, however, appear to have been disturbed as the lead was left at the scene.
A blue transit van is believed to have been seen in the area during the evening of the 4 October and officers would like to speak to anyone with any information relating to the incident.
Witnesses are asked to contact PCSO Graham Eglen at Norfolk Constabulary on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Last December the EDP and our sister paper the East Anglian Daily Times launched a campaign offering a reward of £26,000 to help protect our historic churches.
The Stop The Roof Raiders campaign received the backing of church leaders in Norfolk and Suffolk, other organisations and the counties' police and crime commissioners to stop thieves desecrating our sacred buildings.
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