A gurdwara has expressed its disgust after thieves stole a safe filled with cash and important documents from its premises.

Ilford Recorder: Karamsar Gurdwara spokesman Harmander SinghKaramsar Gurdwara spokesman Harmander Singh (Image: Archant)

Harmander Singh, 56, spokesman for Karamsar Gurdwara, High Road, Ilford, said the people behind the theft were “mindless” after police issued an appeal this week along with CCTV images of two men wanted in connection with the incident.

The appeal comes after the “large amount of cash” was taken in the early hours of Monday, November 30, last year.

“It’s sad when people attack places of worship, because these places are important,” said Harmander, from Ilford.

“It’s sad that people don’t value places of worship to the point that they target them like this, when they’re for the benefit of everybody. Why did they do it? Why would they want something that doesn’t belong to them? How would they feel if their home was broken into?”

The gurdwara volunteer, who helped establish the place worship, said he believed the theft was not carried out by opportunists, but by people that had “cleverly thought out” the raid.

“It beggars belief that they could do this,” he added. “It’s a real shame.

“This building and its services are provided by the blood sweat and tears of others. That money was donations from people that did an honest day’s work and gave it to a charitable cause – what kind of people would take that? How can we forgive people like that?

“As a worshipper I’m disgusted, what were these people thinking? Especially in the run up to Christmas, these people have no mind.”

Det Con Phil Wellington, of Barkingside Police Station, said: “We hope the release of these images will trigger someone’s memory as High Road is a busy location.”

No arrests have been made and inquires continue.

Anyone with information about the incident is being urged call Redbridge police on 101 and quote 4419785/15.

To report information anonymously call CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.