In 1863, the Worcestershire Chronicle published the startling announcement that one of the great bells of the cathedral, weighing five hundredweight had recently been stolen. It was 'not known how or when but it must have been within the last few months'
An American, it seems, who had visited the tower, guided by a young ringer informed the authorities that there were only seven of the eight bells there. Though the rope and tackle remained, the treble bell had gone. It can't have been an easy robbery for it would certainly have needed pulleys to have taken it down, but the mystery was never cleared up. The story had a happy ending, however, for an appeal was made to replace the bell and cheques rolled in so well that it was possible to place an order for the present peal of sixteen bells