The congregation at a church in Bricket Wood is relieved a safe full of irreplaceable records that was stolen has been recovered by police.

The safe, which was kept in the office of St Luke’s church, was stolen during a burglary between 7pm on Thursday night and 7.55am on Friday morning.

Roger Stacey, a member of the parochial church council and in charge of the cleanup operation following last week’s burglary, spoke of the trouble that would have been caused if the documents were lost.

He said: “It would have caused big problems - it is the history of the building that we are required to keep.”

The safe contained records of the all baptisms, weddings and funerals that have taken place in the church.

Mr Stacey added: “People are upset that it has happened but relieved that nothing was seriously damaged and that no one was hurt. They are incensed someone would target a church.”

The cost of the damage caused during the break in, in which ten doors were damaged, five needing to be completely replaced, has not yet been finalised.

Mr Stacey is pleased with the amount of support the church, also used as a doctor’s surgery, has received from the local community. He said: “Bricket Wood is a community and people were community minded when they called the police.”

Hertfordshire Constabulary have released a photograph of Gary Gibson, 34, who they wish to speak to in connection with the burglary. Anyone who has information about his whereabouts is asked to contact the police on the non-emergency number 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.