Suspects who snatched ancient human skulls from a church crypt may be looking to sell them on the black market, it is feared.

Revd Andrew Sweeney, Priest-in-Charge at St Leonard’s Church in Hythe, also said he and colleagues have been in a state of bereavement after the 21 skulls were stolen.

Bolt cutters, it appears, were used during the burglary, where the skulls were removed from a display between 4pm on Sunday and 10.40am Monday at the Oak Walk church.

Revd Sweeney said: “Originally we didn’t know if there was any value in the skulls but it is thought they could have been stolen to sell on the black market.

“We don’t think it was just children, these people came with the right equipment to break the gate.

“We believe they came specifically for the skulls, they didn’t take money from inside, and there was no vandalism.

“They just took the human skulls and left.”

Revd Sweeney added he and colleagues initially felt “shock and anger after the crime, but now they feel sorrow.

“It has been interesting over the last few days, it seems we have been going through a bereavement cycle.

“We felt shock and anger initially, and it was only when the busyness was over and we secured the building that the impact of it all started to sink in.”

He explained each skull represents a human being who once lived in Hythe, all with their own lives and loved ones.

And in death human remains are placed in the care of a church and now that trust “has been breached by malicious people.”

He added: “Yes we do think it was organised crime.

“It is such an unusual crime we are waiting to hear from the police if they are even legal to sell.”

It is understood the remains are of people who were buried in St Leonard’s and other nearby churchyards between the 12th-15th centuries, possibly earlier.

And in Hythe, the collection of bones likely comes from reburials when the church was extended in the 11th-13th centuries.

A church statement adds: “We are very aware of the sensitivities of opening the ossuary to the public, but we believe that its historic interest makes it important to do so.

“To encounter human mortal remains can be a profound and fascinating experience, enabling us to learn about historic attitudes to death, and to reflect on our own thoughts and feelings about life and death.

“St Leonard’s church is always open to visitors, offering a quiet reflective space alongside the ossuary, and our visitors books offer a powerful testimony to the value of this collection.”

It added the church has always relied on “human decency and compassion” to stop the remains coming to harm.

But members are now saddened that “greed, selfishness or stupidity” has destroyed that assumption of common human values.

The statement adds the church is grateful for Kent Police’s help and urged people with information to step forward. Security has also been bolstered.

Inspector Maxine Harris said: "We recognise this is perhaps an unusual theft, but these skulls were not free for the taking. They are part of an important collection, we are keen to see them back in their rightful place in the crypt.

"We would like to hear from anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area at the time of the burglary.

"Also we ask people to get in touch if they have seen these skulls offered for sale."

Anyone with information about the burglary, is asked to call Kent Police on 01843 222289 quoting reference number 16-419. Or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.