All cases

Filtered by: Vandalism (form of hate crime)

Vandalism and Attempted Arson inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg

June 29, 2026, Germany

On 29 June 2026, unknown perpetrators set fire to a wooden bench inside St. Marien Church in Freudenberg and and vandalised the church entrance. Police have launched an investigation into the circumstances of the incident.

Attempted Arson at the Church of Saint-Jean de Castelsarrasin

June 29, 2026, France

On the evening of 29 June, there was an arson attempt targeting the church of Saint-Jean de Castelsarrasin. The fire was discovered by a volunteer in a trash can inside the building. Thankfully, no material damage was caused. Police opened an investigation into the incident.

Suspected Arson at Former Convent in Downpatrick

June 28, 2026, United Kingdom

On Sunday, 28 June, the listed Convent of Mercy adjacent to St. Patrick's Church in Downpatrick is believed to have been deliberately set on fire and was completely destroyed. The loss of the convent has been difficult for the local community after the destruction of a historical landmark.

Parish priest faces aggression during break-in at his presbytery in Levie

June 27, 2026, France

On 27 June 2026, Fr Pierre Pio reported that three young men forced entry into the presbytery in Levie while he was present inside. The incident involved damage to the building and a direct confrontation with the priest, who described the event as an aggression. The case follows previous acts of vandalism affecting parish property and raised concerns about local safety of both clergy and the faithful.

Altar Cloth Burned Inside Val d'Oust Church

June 24, 2026, France

In early June 2026, unknown individuals entered a church in Le Roc-Saint-André, Val d'Oust, deliberately burning part of the altar cloth and several candles. The parish reported the incident to the authorities, and an investigation was opened.

Candles and Missal Set on Fire at Church in La Chapelle-Caro

June 24, 2026, France

During the fourth week of June 2026, unknown perpetrators entered a church in La Chapelle-Caro, where they deliberately burned candles, broke others and set a missal on fire. The incident occurred only weeks after a similar act of vandalism at another church in the same municipality.

Young man arrested after destroying property in Friesoythe Church

June 22, 2026, Germany

In what has been described as a destructive rage, a 25-year-old man damaged several objects in the St.-Marien-Kirche in Friesoythe the evening of June 22. He caused significant property damage, including damage to the church organ and religious art depicting the way of the cross.

Desecration of cemetery and Catholic church near Rouen

June 20, 2026, France

In the municipality east of Rouen, Saint-Léger du Bourg-Denis, the Catholic church and cemetery were found desecrated on Saturday, June 20. This event is not the first in the region of Rouen, and follows a series of thefts, vandalism, and desecrations of Catholic churches in the area.

Christ Figures Stolen from Roadside Crosses in Wrocław

June 16, 2026, Poland

Police are investigating the theft of at least two Christ figures from roadside crosses in Wrocław.

Attempted arson inside the Church of San Fereolo in Lodi

June 16, 2026, Italy

The church of Saints Bassiano and Fereolo in Lodi fell victim to attempted arson. This occurrence follows a pattern of similar acts of vandalism and arson in Lodi over the past year.

Cowdenbeath Baptist Church Hit for the Eighth Time, Suffers Extensive Damage

June 15, 2026, United Kingdom

On 14 June 2026, Cowdenbeath Baptist Church was again targeted by vandals, who smashed windows, damaged the church's toilet facilities, and threw projectiles through the building. Church members described the repeated attacks as "soul destroying" and said the church had been vandalised up to eight times.

Church in Hanau Targeted Again with Airsoft or Slingshot Projectiles

June 15, 2026, Germany

Several windows of the Holy Spirit Church in Hanau were damaged in a second attack within a month, with police suspecting the use of an airsoft gun or slingshot.

Josefikapelle Defaced with Political and Sexist Graffiti in Nabburg

June 14, 2026, Germany

During the week preceding 12 June 2026, unknown perpetrators vandalised the Josefikapelle by spray-painting sexist and politically motivated graffiti on its exterior wall. Police opened an investigation and appealed for witnesses.

Attempted arson at Baptist Church in Tallinn

June 13, 2026, Estonia

Police have apprehended three men suspected of attempted arson at a Baptist Church building in Tallinn. Whilst exact motivations remain unknown, the police are investigation whether the incident was motivated by religious reasons.

Church tagged with anti-Christian graffiti

June 12, 2026, Poland

On 12 June 2026, a vulgar inscription offensive to the Church was discovered painted in red on the façade of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Police opened an investigation to identify the perpetrator.

Evangelical Bookshop Defaced with Anti-Israel Graffiti

June 12, 2026, Netherlands

In early June 2026, the evangelical book and gift shop Het Olijfblad in Den Burg was defaced with anti-Israel slogans and symbols. Police opened an investigation into the incident.

Arson Incident at St. Peter’s Church in Lommel Following Repeated Vandalism

June 8, 2026, Belgium

Unknown perpetrators deliberately set fire to the fabric upholstery of a church bench inside St. Peter’s Church (Sint-Pietersbandenkerk) in Lommel, Belgium, on 8 June 2026. Church officials stated that the incident was the latest in a number of recent vandalism and fire-related incidents affecting the church.

Young Man Arrested After Desecrating Church and Damaging Sacred Property

June 8, 2026, Poland

A young man was arrested after entering the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Łubów, where he committed acts of desecration and damaged religious objects near the altar and confessional.

Suspected arson at new Syrian Orthodox church under construction in Leimen

June 7, 2026, Germany

Police in Leimen, Germany, are investigating suspected arson after a fire was deliberately set inside the shell of a new Syrian Orthodox church. The blaze, which produced flames several metres high, was extinguished before it could cause major damage to the building.

Attempted Arson Inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena

June 5, 2026, Germany

A 45-year-old man attempted to set fire to the altar and baptismal font inside St. Michael’s City Church in Jena, Germany, using lamp oil. The fire was quickly extinguished by those present, preventing major destruction, while police continue to investigate the incident as attempted arson.