Man arrested trying to steal Magna Carta from UK cathedral

The Magna Carta on display at the cathedral is one of four surviving originals.

The dean of the cathedral said the suspect was able to smash through one of two protective glass screens housing the precious document. The Rev. Canon Nicholas Papadopulos praised “courageous” staff members who he said were able to restrain the man for 12 minutes before authorities got to the scene.

“He walked out of the Chapter House and tried to leave the cathedral via our work yard and he was detained there and restrained until the police arrived,” the dean said.

The 45-year-old suspect was arrested on suspicion of attempted theft, possession of a weapon and criminal damage, police said. He has not been identified or charged.

Police said the Magna Carta was not damaged and no one was hurt during the incident. But, with its display case damaged, the cathedral said the Magna Carta will be taken out of public view for the moment.

“We are very sorry that, for the time being, our copy of Magna Carta will not be available to visitors and will have it back on display as soon as we can,” the cathedral said.

The other originals are at Lincoln Cathedral and the British Library in London, which has two in its collection.

Salisbury Cathedral has also been in the news recently because two Russians accused of carrying out the March nerve agent attack on ex-spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia claimed during a TV interview in September that they had travelled to Salisbury to see its “famous cathedral,” not to poison anyone.

In addition to the rare Magna Carta, the cathedral is known for having the tallest cathedral spire in Britain.

Gregory Katz, The Associated Press

by Canadian Press

Man arrested trying to steal Magna Carta from UK cathedral

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