Missing Mt Eden church pews 'were never stolen'

The pews that mysteriously disappeared last week. Photo / File

The mysterious disappearance of 10 heavy, wooden pews from a Mt Eden church has been solved.

Earlier today police said thieves had broken in to Mt Eden Presbyterian Church at 31 Esplanade Rd on February 12 and taken the distinctive pews.

However, police have confirmed this evening that the pews have been found. They say they are no longer treating their disappearance as a burglary.

Instead, it seems the church managers and contractors who moved the pews ahead of the building's demolition had just miscommunicated.

After the "burglary" was reported in the media this afternoon the contractors called police to tell them they had removed the pews.

However, when police contacted church managers they said they were unaware of the plans to move the pews.

"The good news is that no one has burgled the church," said Avondale police Constable Laura Van Doormaal.

"We'll be speaking further with both parties to establish exactly what has happened, but for now we can say that there are no burglars involved."

Earlier today police called the "burglary" an "unusual" crime and asked anyone who had seen any suspicious activity near the church between February 12 and February 17 to get in touch with them.

It turns out the pews were removed by a contractor ahead of the demolition of the church, and not taken by burglars. Photo / NZ Police