Officers investigating burglaries at a number of churches and a vicarage across three West London boroughs are searching for a homeless man.
Police are appealing for information on the whereabouts of 46-year-old David Spencer who officers want to talk to in connection with five offences which took place overnight during June and July, as well as older cases dating back to April.
Churches and a renovation across Richmond, Ealing and Kensington and Chelsea have been targeted with cash and power tools stolen.
DCI Clare Murray of Richmond CID, who is taking the lead for the London investigations, said: “These churches have been systematically broken into and collection money stolen from inside. We have pursued numerous lines of enquiry and are keen to speak to David Spencer as soon as possible. We would like David Spencer to contact us, or if someone has information on his whereabouts, please tell us.”
Police patrols around churches have been increased and officers are advising a number of church managers on building security.
Officers would like to speak to Mr Spencer in connection with a burglary at a building site on Montpelier Road, Ealing, between 5pm and 8am between June 14 and 16 where power tools worth £840 were stolen from the site.
They would also like to speak to him regarding the follow church thefts:
Between 5pm on Friday July 4 and 10pm on Saturday July 5, St Andrews Church on Church Road, Ham, and Barn Church, Atwood Avenue, Kew were both broken into and money stolen from inside.
Money has also been stolen in a burglary of All Hallows Vicarage on Chertsey Road, Twickenham between 6pm on July 5 and 7am on Sunday July 6 where a collection tin was forced open.
In Kensington and Chelsea the Holy Trinity Church on Sloane Street was broken into between 6:30pm on June 8 and 7am on June 9, and cash stolen.
Anyone with information on David Spencer’s whereabouts is asked to contact Richmond CID on 020 8721 5932 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
