TWO boys were detained by a member of the public after allegedly stealing lights from a Christmas tree outside St Alphege Church, Whitstable.

Police officers were called just after 10pm on Saturday after the boys had been stopped and found to have a bulb in their possession.

Lights from the tree have been stolen and damaged in a series of incidents since they were turned on at the beginning of December.

The boys, aged 13 and 14 and both from Whitstable, were taken home to their parents.

Police will be interviewing them about the incidents. Their parents will be asked to attend the interviews.

Because the problems, and to prevent electrocution, leaders of St Alphege Church are considering switching off the lights permanently.

Church warden John Legg said: “It is desperately sad that at this time of year the joy of people in Whitstable is spoilt by a few uncaring vandals.

“There is also a real danger to other people, especially with a school next door, because the sockets are live with a main-strength current but without the bulbs.

“It may come to pass that we have to switch off the town’s Christmas tree lights because we are constantly replacing them and we have to think about safety.”