Wanton vandals target church

Maxwell Kusi Obodum ? Published 23 Jun 2012 12:00

DEVASTATED parishioners say "wanton vandals" trashed a Southcote church and stole a safe containing sacred holy communion silverware.

Senior members of the congregation at St Matthew's Church in Southcote Lane were close to tears on Thursday morning after finding a trail of smashed doors, broken cupboards, overturned filing cabinets and their collection of cherished goblets and plates missing.

Social activities co-ordinator Mary Day, who has volunteered at the church for 35 years, fought back tears as she said: "It's appalling, wanton vandalism. They've caused chaos and I just can't understand people who would want to do anything like this. There are people in the community who use this church and all their clubs have been disturbed while we clear up. I've never seen anything like this in all my time here."

The raiders struck overnight between 11pm-8am using a crowbar and screwdriver to force open the chapel door before smashing their way into the vestry. First they forced a large safe but, finding nothing of value inside. they dragged out another metal safe containing the silverware and a small amount of cash and stole it intact. They also broke into the church hall and office, stealing an Apple Mac laptop and ransacking shelves and filing cabinets before pouring milk, glue and glitter on the carpets and squirting ketchup on walls and notice boards.

The pastor, the Rev Pads Dolphin, was able to conduct Sunday service. But he said: "It's sad to see this mess. It's gratuitously and unnecessarily done by people with no regard for others. It's sad we live in a world like this."

Police forensics officers spent Thursday morning examining the scene and are working on the theory the burglars were youngsters rather than professional criminals. Police spokeswoman Rebecca Webber urged witnesses or anyone who saw any suspicious activity in the area to contact PC Christopher Shelbourn on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 22 Jun 12

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