The town of Callosa de Segura lies near to Orihuela and on the eve of Christmas Day vandals and robbers broke into and stole many of the figures in the town’s nativity scene .

More than 30 pieces were stolen and those that were not stolen were just strewn on the ground .The baby Jesus , the Virgen Mary , the animals and many other artifacts were taken .

The value of the articles was almost 3000 euros and they had been especially made by a well known craftsman of nativity scenes .

The hut which housed the scene was in the centre of this historic town and it has been a shock to all of its residents .

A similar attempt was made last year , without success and this year it had been reinforced with double glazing .