School devastated after 70-year-old statue of Jesus on a crucifix stolen before Easter

A school and the wider community have been left devastated after the theft of a huge statue of Jesus on a crucifix in the run up to Easter.

It's understood vandals struck in the early hours of Monday morning outside St Mary's RC Primary and Nursery School in Langley, Middleton. Images show one of two religious statues has been toppled, with a third appearing to be missing.

A towering statue of Jesus on the cross was also broken down, with just part of the wooden base remaining in the ground.

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A GoFundMe appeal to replace the crucifix has now been launched as the school's headteacher issued a statement and parishioners spoke of their shock.

It's the second similar theft recently after the Manchester Evening News revealed a huge Jesus on a crucifix was cut down and stolen from outside a church in Salford.

The Salford statue, believed to be 100 years old this year, was stolen - together with statues of a kneeling angel and St Bernadette - from outside St Luke's Roman Catholic Church on Swinton Park Road in Irlams o' th' Height, Salford, with police confirming an investigation is underway.

It's understood thieves used an electric saw to cut through the base of the crucifix, before dragging it along the ground to a car park at the side of the church, with the parish of Our Lady of Hope in Salford, which comprises St Luke's Church, saying the thefts had caused 'great sadness'.

The crucifix outside St Mary's in Langley is understood to have stood for 70 years. Greater Manchester Police has been alerted, the school said, and it's understood CCTV footage has been handed over as part of the investigation.

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