A church at Mount Hawke is one of a number of places of worship across Cornwall that have been targeted by thieves and vandals.

The Methodist Church in Fore Street was hit between Sunday, September 2 and Friday, September 7, when the back door was forced open. The offender then used cushions and a blanket as a bed, leaving a beer can and wine bottle at the scene.

During the same period, the St Michael and All Angels Church at Caerhays near St Austell was also targeted, with the donation box forced open and cash stolen from inside.

Other crimes that have been committed during the spate include cash stolen from the offertory box at the Church of St Tudy, money stolen when cupboards were broken into in the vestry of the Church of St Tetha at St Teah, the contents of a metal box taken from the Church of St Clederus at St Clether and cash stolen from a collection box at the Parish Church in North Petherwin.

There are no descriptions of any suspects of these crimes.

Members of the public have been asked to report any suspicious behaviour around churches in the county to the police, who also want to be contacted by anyone with information about the incidents on 08452 777444. Crimestoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555111.