Two men have been charged in connection with the theft of items from a church in Ipswich.

Two men have been charged in connection with the theft of items from a church in Ipswich.

A large safe containing silverware and parish record books was stolen when St Mary and St Botolph Church in Whitton was broken into between 8pm on Saturday, December 30 and 8am on Sunday, December 31.

Police arrested two men after they allegedly attempted to sell goods to a jewellers in Ipswich town centre.

Ionut Avadanei, 19, who lives in Crescent Road, Ipswich and Vasile Tecaru, 20, who lives in Mountbatten Court, Ipswich, have both been charged with receiving stolen goods after being questioned at Martlesham Police Investigation Centre.

Avadanei has been bailed and will appear at Ipswich Magistrates’ Court on Monday February 5.

Tecaru has also been charged with attempted burglary, relating to an incident in Norwich Road, Barham, between April 10 and 12, 2017.

He was remanded in custody and appeared before a virtual court via videolink to Ipswich Crown Court yesterday (Friday, January 5).

No pleas were entered and he is expected to appear before the court again next week.

Police are continuing to appeal for any witnesses or anyone with information about the burglary at the church to come forward.

None of the stolen items have been recovered and so officers are also appealing for anyone who may have been offered any church silverware for sale to make contact. The stolen silver consists of items such as: communion cups; a bowl; flagons; a salver; chalices; and a wafer box.

Calls should be made to Ipswich West Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101 quoting reference 73/18, or Crimestoppers anonymously.