Investigation after Bowers Gifford St Margaret’s Church vandalism

Essex Police are appealing for more information following an incident at St. Margarets Church, on Old Church Road, in Bowers Gifford, which took place between October 28 and October 29.

The church sustained damage to various parts of the building including the roof, porch and stained-glass window.

Smashed window - Some of the damage done (Image: Essex Police)

Church warden, Nikki Dilorenzon, said yobs had attempted to use a heavy stone bird-bath as a “battering ram” to gain access to the church, but were prevented by the iron gates along the doorway.

He added damage to the roof suggests they then climbed up and attempted to break through to gain entry.

An Essex Police spokesperson said: "If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us.

Mindless - Nikki showing the aftermath of the vandalism (Image: Nikki Dilorenzo)

"You can let us know by submitting a report on our website or by using our online Live Chat service which is available 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week. 

"It can be found at the bottom right of our homepage at www.essex.police.uk. 

"Visit www.essex.police.uk/digital101 to find out more about our website reporting services. Alternatively, you can call us on 101. In an emergency always call 999"

Damage - The gates had been damaged with the birdbath (Image: Essex Police)
 

Members of the community had volunteered to clean up the damage in the aftermath of the incident.

Nikki said: “This will have a massive knock-on effect on the community, we have had lots of people volunteer to clean it up and it goes to show the church is loved, but for this to happen affects a lot of people.”

You can make an anonymous report to Essex Police by contacting @CrimestoppersUK on Twitter, or by visiting their website, or by calling 0800 555 111.

You can quote crime reference 42/165809/24 when providing any information.