EXTENSIVE damage was caused to a leaded church window at Pershore Abbey following an attempted break-in over the weekend.
Police are appealing to the community for information following a burglary at the historic building on Church Walk which happened sometime between Saturday, October 4 and 7.30am Sunday, October, 5.
A church window was forced where the lead was pulled back and caused extensive damage as the culprits attempted to gain entry.
Revd Claire Lording told the Observer that she discovered the damage to the vestry window when she came to prepare for Holy Communion service on Sunday morning.
“We were devastated. We really care about this precious building and it has caused great sadness to the whole community.” She was grateful, however, that nothing had been taken and that nobody was hurt. “It could have been a different scenario,” she added.
“I am really grateful to our church community who rallied, informed the police and made everything safe.
“We are also really thankful to the police who came out straight away and did the forensics.”
The incident did not stop the 8am service going ahead as planned.
An investigation by the Countryside Alliance in April revealed that from 2022 to 2024, there were 9,648 records of theft, burglary, criminal damage, vandalism and assault at religious premises across the UK.
At the time a Church of England spokeswoman said: “Our churches play such a crucial role in providing spiritual, pastoral and practical support to their local communities, helped by our wonderful volunteers.
“A crime committed at a church is a real setback, not just for its congregation, but for all those who benefit from its presence in their community.”
Anyone who saw anything suspicious or has any information that might help enquiries should get in touch by calling 101 and quoting incident number 00094_i_0510202.
