There has been�a break-in and theft of �2,500 at Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha Crawley.
Police are continuing to investigate the break-in at the Gurdwara that occurred overnight between 7.15pm on Friday, September 25 and 3.30am on Saturday, September 26.
The evening of the break-in, the Granthi Singh had gone on leave and was due to come back in the early morning for opening the Gurdwara and performing morning prayers. A local volunteer had taken on the duty of locking up the Gurdwara at 7.30pm. Usually, the Gurdwara has internal CCTV switched on in the evenings, however, the night of the break-in the internal CCTV was switched off. The Granthi Singh discovered the break-in at 3.30am the following morning when he arrived back and raised the alarm.
The culprits entered via the kitchen back door, which was forced open. They then made their way through another door, wrenching open filing cabinets with a tool and forcing open a metal cabinet and stealing cash from inside.
The burglars then stole money from the Golak (donation box) in the Darbar Sahib.
After that they searched the Granthi Singh�s bedroom and smashed down another door that had the safe behind it. The Granthi Singh had his belongings overturned. The safe was kept in a discreet location within the bedroom.
The offenders appear to have used hydraulic equipment to force open the door of the safe. They stole two gold ornaments, which are hung in the prayer room but kept in the safe overnight, from inside.
At least two doors need to be replaced after being taken off their hinges.
It is noteworthy that during the break-in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji was left untouched. The culprits also did not attempt to enter the Sachkhand room where Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Shaib Ji are kept. It is possible�the culprits knew what they were looking for and had knowledge of the reverence of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji.
CCTV footage was captured of the pair walking around the outside of the building, but police say it is of insufficient quality to be released.
The five-member Gurdwara board of trustees is awaiting the outcome of an insurance claim to see if they can replace and repair everything that was lost or damaged.
Anyone with information about the break-in or who may have been offered gold ornaments for sale is asked to call Sussex Police on 101.
