Community Alert: Antigonish County RCMP Investigate Theft of Historic Church Bell on Hwy 337

The Antigonish County District RCMP are investigating the theft of an iron church bell taken from the yard of a church located in the 5000 block of Hwy. 337 in Antigonish County, Nova Scotia. Officers are appealing to the public for any information that could help recover the bell and identify those responsible.

Police determined that the bell was removed sometime between March 18 and March 20, 2026. Investigators believe equipment such as a grinder saw and a truck were used to cut the bell from its base and transport it away. This incident affects not only the victimized church community but the broader Antigonish area, where property and heritage-related offences are closely monitored alongside other trends documented in local Antigonish crime and safety statistics.

Official RCMP Details

Based on information released by the RCMP in Nova Scotia, the key facts of this investigation are as follows:

• Investigating agency: Antigonish County District RCMP
• Type of incident: Theft of a church bell from church property
• Location: Church yard in the 5000 block of Hwy. 337, Antigonish County, Nova Scotia
• Timeframe of theft: Occurred sometime between March 18, 2026 and March 20, 2026
• Item stolen: An iron church bell that had been on display in the church yard
• Method believed used: Investigators believe a grinder saw was used to cut the bell free from its base and that it was then loaded onto a truck
• RCMP file number: 2026-363912

Public Assistance Requested

CrimeCanada.ca is joining the RCMP in asking the community to help with this investigation. Even small details could be important — such as noticing unusual late-night activity, seeing a vehicle transporting a large metal bell, or hearing someone speak about newly acquired scrap or church-related artifacts between March 18 and 20 in the Hwy. 337 area.

If you have any information about the theft, the people involved, or the current location of the bell, please contact the RCMP directly:

• Antigonish County District RCMP: 902-863-6500

If you prefer to remain anonymous, you can provide information through Crime Stoppers:

• Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers (toll-free): 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)
• Secure web tip: www.crimestoppers.ns.ca
• P3 Tips app: Submit information using the P3 Tips mobile application

Residents and local organizations in surrounding parts of Antigonish County, including areas such as the subdivisions documented in Antigonish County crime and safety data, are encouraged to review security camera footage, check outbuildings, and report any suspicious tools, vehicles, or scrap metal activity around the dates of the theft.

CrimeCanada.ca Safety Perspective

From the perspective of CrimeCanada.ca, incidents like the theft of a church bell are more than property crimes — they affect community heritage, trust, and the sense of safety in rural and small-town Nova Scotia. These objects often have historical and emotional value, and their loss can be deeply felt by residents and congregations. Prompt reporting of unusual activity, especially where heavy tools, cutting equipment, or late-night vehicle traffic are involved, can significantly help prevent or solve similar offences.

We encourage community members to take practical steps: secure or better anchor valuable outdoor fixtures, maintain good lighting around church and community properties, and review camera footage whenever something seems out of place. By working closely with the Antigonish County District RCMP and using anonymous channels like Crime Stoppers when needed, residents play a direct role in protecting shared spaces and holding offenders accountable.

Official Source & Community Safety

This safety alert is based on an official release from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). CrimeCanada.ca aggregates and analyzes this data to keep the nova-scotia community informed, aware, and safe. We are an independent safety data aggregator and not the original creators of the underlying incident report.

Read the full official release here: RCMP Official Statement.