A PLACE of worship, a nursery and a pub have been targeted in a trio of attempted break-ins in Worcester. 

St Stephens Church Hall in St Stephens Road, Wishing Well Nursery and the Alma Tavern in Droitwich Road, were victims of attempted break-ins in the early hours of Friday morning (July 9). The attacks, which happened between 2am and 3am caused external damaged, but "almost nothing" was taken. 

Jon Dean, co-owner of the Alma Tavern, said: "My partner Will went out to the company van at around 9.45am, when he noticed someone had tried to force open the driver's door. I think the security lighting must've disturbed him but it's annoying because for people to treat hospitality this way, especially after the last six months - it just isn't good enough. 

"The manager from the Wishing Well Nursery asked if we had anything on CCTV, but there was nothing we could see. It's disrupted their week and could have affected the education of the kids who go there. When we saw the scenes of crimes van at the church across the road, we were shocked. They'd only stolen £7 - but they've cost more damage than what they've actually stolen. It's mindless thuggery and senseless vandalism."

Mr Dean, 50, said the perpetrators tried to come through the back gate of the "community minded" pub, where the TV systems are located in the garden. He said: "Luckily, they were all secured in vandal proof boxes, but it was just a massive inconvenience. The thought of someone trying to access your place of work makes us feel vulnerable. We live above the pub, so we're just fortunate they didn't gain access". 

Jennifer Jenkins, manager of Wishing Well Nursery said it was lucky the damage was external. She said: "They didn’t get in – that’s the main thing. There was damage, but the alarm must've triggered and freaked them. Whoever it was, tried to force the doors at the fire exit. It looks like to me the damage was done with a crowbar, but we have that door secured. 

"We were lucky the damage was external. It's frustrating more than anything else, we have enough we need to be doing."

Andy Todd, reverend at St Stephens said the ordeal was distressing. He said: "It's been quite distressing, especially for the pre-school group, and after such a challenging year. But the staff there have been amazing as usual, none of the children's equipment appears to have been touched, and the community has rallied round, so we're back to business as usual.

"We haven't had an update yet from the Police on whether they have identified a suspect, and the damaged doors have been repaired."


West Mercia Police were unavailable for comment as the Worcester News went to press.