London, Oct 10 (IANS): Robbers stole over 2,500 pounds of gold artefacts used in religious ceremonies and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage at a gurdwara in the British town of Crawley, a media report said.

"Police are investigating a break-in at the Sikh temple in Spencers Road, Crawley, which occurred overnight between 7.15 p.m. on September 25 and 3.30 a.m. on September 26," the Crawley and Horley Observer quoted a Sussex Police spokesperson as saying on Friday.

"An external door and several internal doors were forced and a safe and cabinets broken into. Gold artefacts and cash worth over 2,500 pounds were stolen," the spokesperson added.

Raiders used hydraulic tools to break into the safe which had the gold artefact.

"It will cost us thousands of pounds (to replace artefact and repair damages)," said Mohindar Galowalia, secretary of Crawley-based charity Siri Guru Singh Sabha, adding that the gurdwara has contributed thousands of pounds to local causes.

Police have launched a public appeal for witnesses to the break-in at the gurdwara.