Letters threatening petrol bombings sent to West Midland churches
Letters threatening to petrol bomb churches and supermarkets have been sent across the West Midlands.
Around 15 letters have been sent to churches and shops across the West Midlands and to other parts of the UK over a period of months, West Midlands Police said.
Each of the letters is believed to have had a West Midlands postmark.
One handwritten letter originating from the region was sent to a church in Sheffield on January 4.
The letter warned that someone would 'petrol bomb' St Mary's Church in High Green if services continued and stab members of the congregation.
Parish priest Father Andrew Browne received the letter and described it as 'horrible'.
He said: "You don't know where your head goes when you read it. Part of it was 'is it real or is it something that is going to be carried out'?
"Then fear hits you.
"The first thing we did was to call the police.
"It has a West Midlands postmark and police have taken it away for forensics as far as we know.
"It was horrible.
"It's a country-wide problem. I know of two other churches in the area to receive letters.
"The letter they received is the same.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of England and Wales urged churches to 'step up' security in the aftermath of the letter, Father Browne said.
He added: "The Bishops' conference sent out a letter advising us to step up security and get extra CCTV along with an anti-arson letterbox and be vigilant.
"I've heard 15 letters have been sent."
The letter read: "Stop all your services straight away – if you don't your church will be petrol bombed while in service.
"Continue behind closed doors, your congregation members will be stabbed one by one.
"Blood on your hands."
The letter was finished with 'you've been warned'.
West Midlands Police confirmed an investigation into the abusive letters is taking place, but refused to confirm where the letters have been sent.
No arrests have been made.
A force spokesman said: "West Midlands Police is investigating after several threatening letters have been sent to mainly churches and supermarkets across the region and officers are aware of a few sent further afield over a period of months.
"Enquiries remain ongoing."
