A VICAR is calling for extra community vigilance in Worcester after mindless vandals smashed 12 of her church's windows.
The Rev Janet House had to sweep up the shards of shattered glass scattered in the chapel and corridors of Holy Trinity and St Matthew's Church in Ronkswood, Worcester, yesterday morning.
She believes the church's windows have been smashed on at least 30 occasions during her last four years as vicar.
Her only blessing was that no rain poured in through the damaged skylights of the Lichfield Avenue building, which was targeted between 6.30pm on Sunday and 7.30am on Monday.
"We do suffer from a constant flow of vandalism," said Mrs House. "The notice board has been broken three times in the last six months, the windows are broken very regularly and we've even had people try to start fires in the churchyard.
"We can't seem to repair the windows quick enough. I wonder if people understand the distress they cause?
"I'm urging the community to keep a watchful eye together so we can help each other out."
The smashed windows have been a blow to the church's renovation plans. It is aiming to raise £40,000 to improve the outside of the building and so far, through fund-raising and grants, it has reached nearly £15,000 of its target.
Vandals have also targeted Ronkswood Community Centre in Canterbury Road.
"Every weekend since about March, we've had around eight, nine or 10 windows put through," said community worker Jude Langton.
"We recently put some new grass down, but they rolled the turf up and threw it down the road."
A spokeswoman for West Mercia police, Kim Stain, said since January only yesterday's incident and one breach of the peace had been reported at the church.
Investigations into the criminal damage at the community centre are continuing, but recently studied CCTV footage has not identified the culprits.
"If people don't report crime, it's then hard for us to tackle the situation," she said.
"We believe those responsible are from the local area and that someone will know who they are. We are urging people to come forward with information."
Anyone who has any information about the attacks is asked to call police on 0845 444888.
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