By Dave GooderhamVANDALS who have inflicted a reign of terror on a church have been branded “despicable” by police and religious officials.An airgun was fired at the windows of Christ Church, Bury St Edmunds, during a Sunday service in the latest attack on the building.
By Dave Gooderham
VANDALS who have inflicted a reign of terror on a church have been branded “despicable” by police and religious officials.
An airgun was fired at the windows of Christ Church, Bury St Edmunds, during a Sunday service in the latest attack on the building.
Church leaders condemned the attacks and said the Lawson Place church had been constantly targeted in the past year, leaving them with a bill of more than £1,000 to repair shattered windows.
Paula Newman, churchwarden, said: “This has been a long-standing problem for the church - we have had low-level vandalism going on for the last year.
“It is almost impossible to do anything about it as it seems quite a hard crime to prevent, but it is something which is happening all the time.
“I think it is particularly shocking when something happens to a church building, but we are working very closely with police to try to prevent future problems.
“We found air rifle pellets which had been shot at the window during the Sunday service and about eight windows have been smashed in recent months.”
The latest attack, which took place between 6.30pm and 8pm on Sunday, has led Suffolk police to urge the public to be vigilant.
A force spokesman said: “Police are aware that there has been a number of issues in relation to vandalism at Christ Church.
“Patrols have been increased in the area to try to combat these issues, but police would ask the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.”
He added: “These mindless vandals have been extremely irresponsible and the dangers of using air weapons in public places cannot be understated.
“Attacks on a place of worship is particularly despicable and causes much distress to the local community.”
Anyone with information should contact Pc Amos Owen on 01284 774100 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
dave.gooderham@eadt.co.uk
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