Another parishioner, Tricia Reilly, expressed hope that the memorial could be restored, adding it was “hard to pray for cruel, nasty people but we must”.
St Alban’s holds a distinguished place in Warrington’s religious history as the town’s oldest surviving Catholic parish, established in 1772.
The church carries Grade II listed status and boasts architectural features of national significance, including a sanctuary designed in 1893 by Peter Paul Pugin, whose father Augustus Pugin famously contributed to the Palace of Westminster.
The investigation comes days before Remembrance Sunday services are due to take place across Warrington in the coming days.
Anyone who recognises the individual in the CCTV image or who witnessed suspicious activity near the church on Bewsey Street is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident reference IML 2449856. Reports can also be made via the force’s website or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
