Response to chapel theft appeal allows police to narrow timeline

An appeal for visitor photographs of the Italian Chapel’s interior has allowed police to narrow down the time that three carved plaques were stolen from the wartime site.

According to a police spokesman, the huge level of response from all over the world shows the respect and affection held for the chapel and the level of outrage that someone has chosen to steal from within its walls.

From the information provided, it would appear the theft occurred between 9am on Wednesday, August 6, and 5.40pm on Friday, August 8. This, say police, is a significantly reduced timeline and they would still like to hear from anyone who visited the chapel over this period.

The stolen plaques are part of set of carvings handcrafted in Moena, in Italy, which were a personal gift from former Italian prisoner of war Domenico Chiocchetti, in 1964.

Inspector Derek Robb is appealing to the person, or persons, responsible to think again about their actions and to take every step to ensure the plaques are found and returned to their rightful place within the chapel.

Anyone with information can contact the police on 101 or anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.