LOOTERS ransacked a Newport church and stole food meant for the homeless just days after it had been damaged by fire.

Church leaders branded it an “Easter tragedy” when thieves broke into the church over the bank holiday weekend and stole televisions and electricals totalling thousands of pounds.

The burglary, at the Abundant Life Centre church on Lower Dock Street, was discovered on Saturday afternoon.

This happened just days after the centre was damaged by fire.

Maldwyn Holland, pastor of the church, said: “Obviously there was a sadness of what happened.

“It’s our spiritual home here and we have been here 10 years and we never expected this. We had Easter planned and we didn’t expect this.

“But I don’t feel discouraged. We feel this paradox of emotions. We feel sad but also glad we have got a faith that sees us through.”

The thieves stole two televisions – including a 50-inch model they ripped off the wall – a lamp, heater, keyboards, DVDs and microphones.

They also made off with tea, coffee, biscuits and other food used by church volunteers to feed the homeless at their fortnightly drop-in session as well as a “very small” amount of change made up of copper coins.

Mr Holland said: “They stole the food but they left the bourbon biscuits. So what we are looking for is a thief who doesn’t like bourbon biscuits.”

Church leaders estimate the value of the stolen items at around a couple of thousand of pounds. But Mr Holland said the church “bears no malice” towards the thieves.

The church were forced to relocate their Easter Sunday service – the largest in the Christian calendar – to the Fijian Breakthrough Church on Lower Dock Street.

Mr Holland said: “The congregation have been very helpful and very supportive and compassionate.

“There’s a little verse in the Bible, tears in the night followed by joy in the morning and I think that sums up our weekend.

“We went from an Easter tragedy on Good Friday to an Easter triumph on Easter Sunday.”

He added: “Bad things happen to good Christians. We are not downcast, we are not discouraged.”

Bob Lewis, from Allt-yr-yn, who is on the church’s leadership team, said: “It shows the world we are living in. It would take someone pretty low to do a church.

He added that the fire brigade did a fantastic job and he said: “It’s going to be a new beginning.

“Lots of other churches in the area have contacted us and offered help.”

It is likely it will be months before the church can move back into its premises.

The fire happened overnight on Thursday and church leaders said the burglary happened sometime overnight on Good Friday or Saturday morning.

The fire, which started about 9pm, was tackled overnight by crews from across Gwent and Cardiff, with more than 65 firefighters involved.

Severe damage was caused to the business units to the rear of the church, while the church hall was also badly hit.

Gwent Police have been contacted about the incident but were unable to provide a comment before we went to print.