Statues in the Münster region in the west of Germany have been targeted over a series of months – including one of Jesus which had its head lopped off, and many more missing limbs or other fragments.

Police in the area say they suspect a "religious background" to the crimes, but have yet to name any suspects.

The series of attacks on Christian imagery was brought to light in a report by a division of the state broadcaster WDR.

Their news show, Lokalzeit Münsterland, reported the crime wave on their 8 December edition, and also on social media: