Repeated Vandalism in St Mary the Virgin church
On 6 May 2025, St Mary the Virgin Church on North Shoebury Road in Essex was vandalised for the third time in recent weeks. The attack occurred just days after the church had spent £1,200 repairing damage from a previous incident.
The perpetrators—believed to be a group of youths—smashed a door and reportedly intimidated a cleaner who was present at the time, causing her to lock herself inside the church hall in fear. Witnesses described the youths as “brazen” and said they lingered around the building even after the break-in.
Craig Hunter, 64, the church warden, expressed frustration at the repeated attacks, noting their psychological and financial toll on the small, elderly congregation. “Though it isn’t life-threatening, it has a real impact on us,” he said, adding that the disruption continued even during a recent funeral reception held in the damaged church hall. Hunter believes the motivation behind the acts is likely linked to boredom but is calling on the police to act swiftly to restore a sense of security.
The incident highlights the vulnerability of small Christian communities and the broader social impact of repeated, unchecked vandalism against places of worship.
Source: echo-news.co.uk
Image: Wiki Commons
