WORSHIPPERS at a town church are picking up the pieces after a break in which is the latest in a long line of attacks and loutish behaviour.

Although only a bottle of Communion wine was stolen, members of All Saints' Church in Birmingham Road were forced to clean up the mess after the raiders broke in overnight last Wednesday.

The raid has prompted the vicar, the Rev Wendy Moore, to break her self-imposed silence over previous attacks.

Council staff had to spend time before the recent Remembrance Day service cleaning graffiti from the war memorial. Knives have also been used to desecrate doors and stonework.

Mrs Moore said the rear of the church is used as a regular meeting place for 20 or 30 young people and where drugs are alleged to be used.

She has refused to speak out previously in case her remarks make the situation worse. Now she has decided to have her say and enlist the help of residents living nearby to alert the police if they see anything suspicious.

"Enough is enough," she said. "The situation is getting worse to a point where their behaviour cannot be tolerated."

The intruders got in by prising away a metal grill in front of a stained glass window which they either smashed or sawed to cut the leadwork.

The alter cloth was wrapped round an oil-fuelled candle to smash a glass panel leading to the vestry. Police later collected blood samples for DNA testing.

Mrs Moore said many people were upset and could not understand why someone should want to harm a sacred building.

"We said prayers in church and prayed for the burglars as well," she said. "I feel sad for them if that is how they get their kicks."