'Lowest of the low': Napier church burgled over Christmas period

Thousands of dollars worth of equipment was taken from the Napier Baptist Church during the Christmas period. Photo / Duncan Brown.

Members of the Napier Baptist Church are devastated after musical equipment worth thousands of dollars was stolen during the Christmas period.

Interim transitional pastor Paul Grimmer said he and members of the church were left speechless when they found out an Allen & Heath Z436 sound desk had been taken from the building.

The vital piece of equipment was regularly used for church services and other community events during the week.

"We used the sound system when we had our service on Christmas Day, so it was stolen sometime after that - either Christmas Day evening or Boxing Day," he said.

The church, a place of sanctuary for many, was broken into via a window.

"Obviously it can be quite devastating and as a result we're having to step up our security system with CCTV and possible alarming. We'll be having further discussions about it, but I think it's something that definitely needs to happen."

Grimmer said a local shop had loaned them another sound system so they could use it for last Sunday's church service, but he was unsure of when they would be getting a replacement.

The sound desk was used for church services as well as many other events within the community.

From whānau café meetings to craft groups and a dance class for those with disabilities, the church is a hub for community activities - but the latest smash-and-grab has rocked those who use the building.

The church has insurance and Grimmer said he hoped that it would cover the items that had been taken, but was slightly doubtful.

"We'll probably have to hire another sound system before we get a replacement. Church will carry on as usual and the leadership will be making decisions about what's to be done next.

"It's a big thing for anyone to have a break-in, especially in such a special place and it's certainly not a good Christmas present either."

Grimmer said he broke the news to members of the church last week, but the general reaction was not of rage, but of pity.

"The feeling I got is that they felt sorry for these people rather than anger."

The reaction was rather different on social media, with some labelling the burglary as "disgusting", "low" and "shameful".

"Wow that's the lowest of the lowest taking from a church or any one for that matter, low lives," wrote one person on a public Facebook forum.

Eastern District Police also shared the news on social media, with the post being shared close to 100 times.

Police have asked for anyone with information to anonymously call Crimestoppers 0800555111.