A THIEF snuck into a church and stole £100,000 worth of silverware and religious artifacts.

The man entered the sacristy in the two-storey circular Meeting House, adjoining Falmer House at the University of Sussex and forced open locked doors and containers to steal the items with a combined value estimated at about £100,000.

Among missing items are silver chalices, two of which were designed by noted sculptor Hans Coper, and several other religious artefacts.

The thief is believed to have placed the items in a black rucksack before making off on foot towards the university’s Pevensey block.

It is possible he then boarded a bus at the campus at Falmer or got into another vehicle.

The University of Sussex is offering a reward of up to £10,000 in a bid to recover the high-value silverware stolen from its sacristy.

Police are renewing an appeal for anyone who saw anything suspicious or who may have other information concerning the theft, which happened between 1.50pm and 2.20pm on Friday, December 7.

Detective Constable Rowan Carter said: “We would like to hear from anyone who recognises the man in the closed circuit television image.

“This is a high value burglary during which some unique items were stolen. Please get in touch if you have any information.”

Police want to identify the man pictured above.

The suspect is described as a man in his 30s, of mixed race, 6ft tall and of medium build, bald and with facial stubble.

He was wearing a blue Puffa-style jacket over a grey hooded top, grey tracksuit bottoms and trainers with white markings on them.

Police have alerted dealers to be aware of the theft and to report any suspicions if they are offered church silverware for sale.

Anyone able to help is asked to contact Sussex Police online or phone 101, quoting serial 806 of 10/12.

Alternatively report details to the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.